Patna, November 5
A day before the first phase of the Bihar elections, Union Minister and JDU leader Rajiv Ranjan, alias Lalan Singh, addressed his controversial remark made during a roadshow in support of party candidate Anant Singh on Wednesday. He claimed that only a portion of the video had gone viral and that it did not represent the complete context of his statement.
In an interview with ANI, Singh mentioned that even if an FIR is filed, the complete video will be thoroughly investigated. He further alleged that it is the RJD's habit to make one part of the video viral and focus on that part.
"That is only one chunk of the video, it is not the complete video. People should watch the complete video. If an FIR has been registered, the complete video will be investigated. I will be questioned and I will answer. The entire thing is recorded. RJD's people are habitual of pulling up one chunk, making it viral, tweeting and misleading..." said Singh.
Addressing his remarks from the viral video, Singh clarified that in the full context of the video, he suggested that if village leaders intimidate and threaten the poor, the villagers should confront them and confine them. He further stated that if these leaders wish to go out and vote, they should be escorted to the polling booth and then compelled to remain inside their homes afterwards.
"...If someone sees the complete video, they would find RJD's tweet misleading. An RJD leader lives in the village from where this video has come up. He threatens people and scares them into not going to booths. I said that if leaders threaten and scare the poor, people of village should corner and lock them up. If they (such leaders) want to go and vote, take them to polling booth and after that force them to stay inside their houses. Nobody can threaten the poor and get their votes. This is my complete statement from the rally in Shivnar. The same day, at the election office in Mokama, I told the workers that in wards number 15-27 under Mokama Nagar Parishad, people are threatening the poor for their votes...The poor are our voters, voters of Nitish Kumar. Will we not protect and encourage our voters?... said Singh.
The Union Minister further emphasised that if an FIR is lodged under the instructions of the Election Commission of India, he respect the election body's decision.
"There is rule of law in Nitish Kumar's rule. All of us respect law. So, if an FIR has been lodged against me on the instructions of EC, I respect it." asserted Singh.
Earlier, a video of Lalan Singh's campaign went viral on social media. In the video, Singh allegedly urged supporters to prevent opposition leaders and candidates from leaving their homes to vote on election day, even suggesting that they should be taken to the polling booth to cast their votes.
Hence, it prompted the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to raise questions and demand action from the Election Commission. Sharing a video of a Union Minister on 'X', the RJD accused him of attempting to intimidate voters in the Mokama assembly constituency on Tuesday.
"Union Minister Lalan Singh, while bulldozing the Election Commission's authority, is saying that the poor should not be allowed to leave their homes on the day of voting! They should be locked inside, and if someone pleads too much, then take them along and make them vote. Where is the dead Election Commission?," RJD wrote on 'X'.
Later, a case was filed against Union Minister and JD(U) leader Lalan Singh at the Mokama police station due to a controversial remark he made during a roadshow in support of party candidate Anant Singh. Furthermore, the Election Commission issued a notice requesting an explanation as to why action should not be taken against him.
"There are a few leaders, don't let them step out of their homes on polling day. Keep them inside," Singh is allegedly heard saying in the widely circulated video clip.
The Voting for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections on 121 constituencies will be conducted on November 6 (Thursday). The remaining 122 constituencies will vote in the second phase on November 11. Counting will take place on November 14.
The 2025 Bihar Elections will have the main contest between the National Democratic Alliance and the Mahagathbandhan.The NDA comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha.
The Mahagathbandhan led by Rashtriya Janata Dal includes the Congress party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj has also staked claims on all 243 seats of the state.
- ANI
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