The upcoming Bihar elections has turned the state into a hotbed of political violence as the race for Bihar Chief Minister’s chair gathers pace. The Mahagathbandhan led by the RJD and INC which has been marred with infighting, saw their hopes of returning to power in the state severely dented after former RJD leader Shakti Malik, was murdered, days after he accused Tejaswi Yadav of selling RJD tickets for the Bihar election.
In what is being reported as a case of political violence, 37-year-old Dalit leader Shakti Malik was shot dead by three men in Purnea district. It is being reported that the assailants barged into Malik’s house when he was sleeping, and subsequently shot him in the head killing him on the spot.
The timing of Malik’s death has raised many uncomfortable questions for the RJD as days before his death, Malik had accused Lalu Prasad Yadav’s son Tejaswi Yadav of seeking Rs 50 lakh as donation to give him party ticket to contest the poll from Raniganj seat. Malik had also claimed that if he continues with his ‘good work’ in the constituency, he will be eliminated.
Malik’s wife, Khushboo Devi alleged that her husband’s killing was a political conspiracy and named several leaders who could be involved in it. It is pertinent to note that Malik was planning to contest the Bihar elections as an independent candidate after his expulsion from RJD.
Following the gruesome murder of Malik, the Bihar Police has filed an FIR against Tejaswi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and four others in connection with the case.
Malik’s murder has the potential to sink the Mahagathbandhan’s boat which is already struggling to stay afloat. The fact Bihar Police also filed an FIR against Lalu’s sons, Tejaswi and Tej Pratap Yadav also holds significance and any trail pointing to Tejaswi or Tej Pratap’s role will be devastating for RJD.
The ruling alliance of JD(U)-BJP has already signalled its intent to raise the issue of Malik’s murder across Bihar. JD(U) spokesman Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said, “We have been raising the issue of dynastic politics, corruption, Tejashwi’s inexperience especially in dealing with alliance politics but the latest allegations has completely exposed him.”
दलित की बेटी के नाम पर प्रपंच करने वालों की संवेदना कब की मर चुकी है।
आज एक दलित युवा, शक्ति जी की हत्या हुई। कुछ दिन पहले ही उन्होंने तेजस्वी पर टिकट के लिए 50 लाख रुपये मांगने का इल्जाम लगाया था,जान पर खतरा भी बताया था।
राजद के युवराज को जवाब देना पड़ेगा। pic.twitter.com/9TG3FDPRLv— Janata Dal (United) (@Jduonline) October 4, 2020
The JD(U) is specifically targeting Tejaswi Yadav – the CM face of Mahagathbandhan. The allegations of murder and cash for tickets will likely sink RJD’s boat in the upcoming Bihar elections.