As Bihar gears up for the assembly elections, scheduled in two phases on November 6 and 11, and with counting set for November 14, a new threat has emerged targeting a senior political figure. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Member of Parliament from Paschim Champaran, Sanjay Jaiswal, received threatening phone calls from unknown individuals demanding a ransom of ₹10 crore. The callers reportedly warned that his son would be killed if the demand was not met.

The alarming development was confirmed by Bettiah Sadar Sub-Divisional Police Officer Vivek Deep, who told ANI that an application was submitted by Jaiswal regarding the incident. The calls were made on two different numbers at 12:40 pm and 12:44 pm on Friday, intensifying fears given the proximity to the upcoming elections.

“The police administration has initiated an investigation into the matter,” SDPO Vivek Deep said. “The identity of the person responsible has been established, and he will be arrested soon.” Additional details regarding the investigation and the progress of the case are awaited.

Sanjay Jaiswal: Political Profile

Sanjay Jaiswal is a senior leader in the BJP from Bihar, having previously served as the state BJP president. Representing the Paschim Champaran constituency in the Lok Sabha, Jaiswal has been a prominent figure in the party’s state and national campaigns. His high profile and active involvement in the current Bihar assembly elections may have made him a target for threats.

Context: Bihar Assembly Polls

The 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly is preparing for polls in two phases. The first phase of voting will take place on November 6, followed by the second phase on November 11. Counting of votes is scheduled for November 14. Political parties across the state are actively campaigning, and security agencies are on high alert to ensure a safe and fair election process.

The threat to Jaiswal comes amid heightened political tensions in the state, with parties accusing each other of electoral malpractice, candidate coercion, and undue influence. The incident has raised concerns about the security of candidates in the run-up to the elections.

Political Remarks and Counterclaims

Sanjay Jaiswal, while addressing the media earlier in the week, targeted Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj party, claiming that all 153 candidates fielded by Kishor’s party would lose their deposits in the forthcoming elections. Jaiswal alleged that Kishor avoided fielding members of his top leadership because their participation would be electorally unsuccessful.

“Prashant Kishor considers himself a political strategist. He hasn’t fielded anyone from his top leadership because they would lose their deposits. All 153 candidates from Jan Suraaj will forfeit their deposits, and this will make the party historic for that reason,” Jaiswal said.

In response, Prashant Kishor accused the BJP of exerting undue pressure on candidates. He alleged that three Jan Suraaj candidates were forced to withdraw from the electoral contest and claimed that in prior elections, the NDA manipulated close contests to secure favourable results. Kishor referred to past incidents, stating that during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure, booth looting occurred, and in previous polls, results were allegedly manipulated in 10–12 constituencies.

Kishor questioned why leaders who had switched from BJP and RJD joined Jan Suraaj and why the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, allegedly intervened in candidate nominations. “If they were disciplined BJP workers, why did they join Jan Suraaj? Why did Union Home Minister Amit Shah meet them on the day of filing nominations?” he asked, highlighting the political tensions surrounding the current electoral process.

Security Implications

The threats against Sanjay Jaiswal underscore the heightened security risks faced by politicians during election season in Bihar. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, particularly as election-related violence and intimidation have historically been a concern in the state. The police have assured that all measures are being taken to ensure the safety of Jaiswal and his family, and they are actively pursuing the perpetrators behind the threatening calls.

As the state prepares to go to the polls, incidents such as this highlight the complex interplay of politics, security, and electoral fairness. Ensuring the protection of candidates and maintaining a peaceful environment for voters remains a priority for both state and central authorities.