Osama Shahab, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate from Raghunathpur in Bihar’s Siwan district, barely speaks at rallies—he doesn’t need to. His surname carries the weight of legacy and controversy. Osama is the son of late Mohammad Shahabuddin, the former Siwan MP and RJD strongman who died of COVID-19 complications in 2021 while serving a life sentence.
This election marks the first Assembly battle in Siwan after Shahabuddin’s death. The ruling NDA has accused the RJD of promoting criminalisation in politics by nominating his son. BJP leaders warn that the Mahagathbandhan’s return could bring back Bihar’s “Jungle Raj.” Despite criticism, the RJD replaced sitting MLA Hari Shankar Yadav to field Osama.
Educated in London with a law degree, Osama faces multiple criminal charges but no convictions. His main rival, JDU’s Vikash Singh, calls the contest one between “guns and pens.” Raghunathpur’s 68,000 Muslim and 28,000 Yadav voters form RJD’s core support base, possibly giving Osama an edge.
Shahabuddin’s reign remains infamous for brutality, including the 2004 acid murder case that sealed his fate. As Raghunathpur votes tomorrow, Osama’s campaign rides on legacy, loyalty, and the lingering shadow of his father’s past.
