Gaya: In a pre-election controversy, an RJD leader was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly distributing money to voters in the Belaganj Assembly constituency of Bihar, just a day before the crucial by-election. The incident took place in Koiri Bigha village, where the leader was reportedly going door-to-door handing out envelopes containing cash to encourage votes for the RJD candidate.
Police sources confirmed that the arrested individual, identified as Govind Yadav, was found with 20 envelopes, each containing 200 rupees. Local residents tipped off the authorities about the illegal activity, leading to the arrival of the police. While Yadav was apprehended at the scene, two other individuals managed to flee on a motorcycle.
According to Belaganj SHO Alok Ranjan, Yadav is currently under interrogation, and further legal action will be taken. The police are also trying to determine the source of the money and identify those who were involved in the distribution. Yadav, a resident of Maksudpur village, is reportedly the Panchayat President of Kormathu Panchayat under the Belaganj Assembly.
During questioning, Yadav stated that he was simply accompanying two other individuals who were distributing the money. He claimed that he was unaware of the details, as the campaign period had officially ended, and that he was “just brought along” to the scene.
The by-election, scheduled for November 13, has sparked intense competition in the constituency, with Vishwanath Singh, son of former minister Surendra Yadav, contesting on the RJD ticket. This election is expected to be a tough battle, with Manorama Devi from JDU and Mohammad Amjad from Jan Suraj also in the fray.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the case, and further arrests are possible as the inquiry progresses.