PATNA: As Bihar gears up for the first phase of assembly elections on November 6, muscle power continues to cast a long shadow over the state’s politics with jailed strongmen continuing to shape the campaign narrative through their political patrons.

On Monday, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, despite his poor health, campaigned in Danapur for party candidate Ritlal Yadav, who is currently lodged in Bhagalpur Central Jail on charges of extortion, murder, and kidnapping for ransom. Joined by his daughter and RJD MP Misa Bharti, Lalu drew large crowds as flower petals were showered on his convoy. Ritlal, who had defeated BJP’s Asha Sinha from the same seat in 2020, is in jail for allegedly threatening a builder for extortion money.

In Mokama, the ruling JD(U) mounted a counter show of strength

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