As the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections begins on November 6, tensions are rising across the state. In Gaya’s Barachatti constituency, sitting MLA Jyoti Devi, the sister-in-law of Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi, was attacked during her campaign. Miscreants reportedly hurled stones at her convoy, injuring her. She received first aid at a local health center and is now out of danger.
The police have launched an investigation into the attack. Voting in Barachatti will take place in the second phase on November 11. Meanwhile, controversy surrounds Manjhi for distributing three of his party’s six NDA-allotted seats among family members. His daughter-in-law Deepa Kumari is contesting from Imamganj, while his son-in-law Prafull Kumar Manjhi is the candidate from Sikandra in Jamui district.
In another incident on October 30, political violence in Mokama claimed one life. A clash between supporters of JDU’s Anant Singh and Jan Suraj’s Piyush Priyadarshi led to the death of Dularchand Yadav. The police later arrested Anant Singh. The incident has intensified security concerns as Bihar heads into a crucial election phase.
