Just a day ahead of the Bihar assembly election vote counting, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Sunil Kumar Singh has come under scrutiny after making remarks that were deemed “provocative and inflammatory.” Singh, speaking to reporters on Thursday, suggested that if vote counting were manipulated, Bihar could witness a “Nepal-like situation” on its streets, referencing the recent protests in Nepal that led to over 70 deaths and the collapse of the KP Sharma Oli-led government.

FIR Registered and Legal Action

Deputy SP Nitish Chandra Dhariya of the Patna district Cyber Cell described Singh’s comments as potentially destabilizing to law and order. “A case has been registered against him, and appropriate action will be taken accordingly,” he said. An FIR has been lodged under Sections 174, 353, 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 123(4) and 125 of the Representation of the People Act, and Section 66 of the IT Act.

NDA Leaders Condemn Remarks

The ruling alliance in Bihar strongly criticized Singh’s statement. LJP(RV) national president and Union minister Chirag Paswan called the remarks “derogatory and provocative,” asserting that they reflect the RJD’s frustration at its expected electoral loss. “Every political party receives feedback, but the level of satisfaction seen among the NDA is not present in the Mahagathbandhan. We are going to form a strong government in Bihar that will work for the progress of the state over the next five years,” Paswan said.

JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Prasad condemned the statements, associating them with the RJD’s “jungle raj” reputation. He noted that the party tends to create disturbances when defeat appears imminent and warned that the public mandate should be respected. JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha criticized the language used by Singh, stating that it was an instigation to the public ahead of results.

BJP leaders echoed the sentiment. Ajay Alok questioned the novelty of such statements, asserting that Bihar’s public does not tolerate incitement. Minister Ashok Chaudhary emphasized that any threats or provocative language must be dealt with firmly, highlighting the RJD’s long-standing history of public unrest. BJP leader Gaurav Vallabh described Singh’s remarks as emblematic of “jungle raj” and an example of the mindset the people of Bihar rejected in the polls. LJP(RV) leader Arun Bharti termed the statements “unfortunate” and reaffirmed confidence in the NDA forming the next government. BJP leader Dr. Guru Prakash Paswan called the remarks undemocratic and stressed that election results should be accepted with humility.

RJD’s Defense

In defense, RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha urged that Singh’s comments should not be misinterpreted. He claimed the party does not endorse exit poll manipulations and emphasized that the remarks were made in the context of highlighting perceived electoral grievances. Jha also accused the BJP of focusing on negative rhetoric rather than development and employment issues in Bihar, asserting that the RJD campaign reflected change at multiple levels.

Context and Timing

The remarks came just ahead of the counting of votes for Bihar’s 243-member assembly, which took place in two phases on November 6 and 11, drawing a historic 66.91 percent voter turnout. Vote counting was scheduled for Friday, November 14, when the Election Commission would announce the official results.

Singh’s comments, along with the ensuing FIR and political fallout, have intensified the tense atmosphere in Bihar on the eve of the declaration of results, highlighting the sensitivity of electoral rhetoric and its potential impact on law and order in the state.