Tejashwi Yadav was accused of demanding money for election tickets from slain leader Shakti Malik (File)
Purnea / Patna:
A 37-year-old Dalit leader was shot dead today at his residence in Purnea district, Bihar. His wife alleged it was a case of “political murder” as her husband prepared to challenge the upcoming Bihar assembly elections as an independent candidate after his expulsion from the RJD.
After the murder, a video went viral where slain leader Shakti Malik is seen accusing RJD’s Tejashwi Prasad Yadav of demanding Rs 50 lakh as a donation from Shakti Malik instead of a party ticket to contest the ballot from the seat of Raniganj and threatening to eliminate him if he continues his good work in the constituency.
The ruling JD (U) claimed opposition leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav had displayed his true colors in front of the nation. Repeated attempts to reach out to senior RJD leaders for their reaction have been unsuccessful.
Three men on bicycles entered Shakti Malik’s home in Purnea in the morning and shot him in the head while he was sleeping, killing him on the spot, and fled, police said.
A home-made pistol and an empty cartridge were found at the scene, police officer Sunil Kumar Mandal said.
Police Commissioner Vishal Sharma and Sadar’s Sub-Divisional Police Officer Anand Pandey attended.
In the video which went viral, Mr. Malik claimed that he had met with the president of the state unit of the SC / ST cell of the RJD, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav in Patna, where the leader of the RJD had asked for 50 lakh rupees as a donation from him for a party ticket. Constituency of the Raniganj Assembly.
According to the video, when Shakti Malik said he would let him know his decision later, Tejashwi Yadav made a Casteist remark against him and threatened to eliminate him.
It was not immediately clear when Shakti Malik made this statement to a Purnea-based TV station.
Shakti Malik’s wife also alleged that there was a political conspiracy behind the murder of her husband and named several leaders who may be involved.
JD (U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad claimed that Shakti Malik was a Mahadalit and statements from his family members corroborate the allegations made by him.
“We have raised the issue of dynastic politics, corruption, Tejashwi Yadav’s inexperience, especially in alliance politics, but the latest allegations have completely exposed him,” Prasad told reporters. journalists.
Allegations that RJD leaders hand out party tickets after taking money or land are not new, he said.
Raiv Ranjan Prasad also alleged that Tejashwi Yadav’s “concern” for Dalits came to light when former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi had to leave the Grand Alliance due to the mistreatment of RJD leaders.
