‘RJD’s criminal culture still intact’: Sasaram candidate Satyendra Shah’s arrest triggers sharp political reactions from NDA

Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Sasaram candidate Satyendra Shah was arrested by the Jharkhand police immediately after filing his nomination papers on Monday over a pending non-bailable warrant in a 2004 robbery case.

Satyendra’s arrest triggered sharp attacks from NDA leaders who said the opposition alliance is in turmoil ahead of the November Bihar polls.

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RJD leaders condemned the arrest, calling it a politically motivated conspiracy by opponents to derail their candidate’s prospects. Shah himself described the arrest as deliberate, stating, “Although there was a court warrant, I was not arrested before the elections. But once RJD nominated me, my opponents conspired to have me taken into custody. This time, the people are contesting on my behalf, and I seek the blessings of Sasaram voters.”

On the arrest of the RJD candidate from Sasaram Assembly constituency, JDU MP Sanjay Jha said, “These are the kind of people they have given tickets to. Their (RJD) culture has not changed. For 15 years, their party had such people because of whom we felt ashamed to call ourselves Bihari in front of the world, and even today, they have the same kind of people.”

He added, “The prominent faces of the jungle raj have been given tickets to their family members. The people of Bihar know everything, and when the results come on November 14, they will be taught a lesson.”

UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said, “I have seen that RJD candidate Satyendra Sah has been arrested by the Jharkhand Police on charges of dacoity. The JMM was supposed to contest the elections but has now separated from the alliance. The Mahagathbandhan has collapsed. In 2025, the people of Bihar want the NDA to win the elections — maybe after 2047, they might want the Mahagathbandhan to win.”

Shah’s arrest sparked angry protests, with his supporters gathering outside the Sub-Divisional Office and raising slogans against the police.