Bihar polls: Union minister Chirag Paswan gets death threat on social media; complaint filed

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan has allegedly received a death threat on social media, party spokesperson Rajesh Bhatt said. Bhatt has lodged a formal complaint at the Cyber Police Station in Patna regarding the threat. According to the written complaint, the threat was made by an Instagram user operating under the name 'Tiger Meraj Idisi'."The threat was issued due to Paswan's growing popularity. The act "clearly reflects criminal intent and involvement in unlawful activities," Bhatt said in his complaint. "I request you to take immediate cognizance of the seriousness of this matter and initiate prompt action. Kindly arrest the suspect without delay and ensure that the strictest possible punishment is delivered," the complaint said. Taking cognisance of the matter, Cyber DCP Nitish Chandra Dharia said, "On the night of July 11, at around 9 pm, Union Minister Chirag Paswan received a death threat via social media. A case has been registered in the Patna Cyber Police Station, and legal action is underway." Last week, Chirag Paswan announced his candidacy for the upcoming Bihar elections during a public address in Saran.He said, "Today, from this sacred land of Saran, I am declaring before all of you that yes, I will contest the election. I will contest the election for the people of Bihar, for my brothers, for my mothers, for my sisters, and we will create a system in Bihar, we will build a Bihar that will truly take the state forward on the path of development."LJP (Ram Vilas) is a constituent of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), alongside the Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While the party is expected to continue its alliance with the NDA for the upcoming Bihar elections, Chirag Paswan has yet to officially confirm his position on the matter.The Bihar assembly elections are likely to take place later this year, in October or November, although the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not yet announced an official date.(With inputs from ANI)