Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh. File | Photo credit: ANI
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh ‘Lalan’ on Wednesday (Nov 5, 2025) said the video clip that led to an FIR against him for allegedly violating the model code of conduct in poll-bound Bihar has been “edited”.
The former JD(U) president, who was booked under relevant sections of the BNSS and Representation of the People Act on Tuesday (November 4, 2025) for a speech he delivered in Mokama, expressed confidence that the investigation would take into account the “entire video footage” and lead to his exoneration.
“I respect the action initiated by the Election Commission, which is a constitutional, non-partisan body. But the video in question, which is also shared by our rival RJD, is fake,” Mr. Lalan said.
He also accused the RJD cadres of threatening the poor people of Mokama with dire consequences if they vote in favor of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U).
“As a political party, it was our responsibility to offer support to such vulnerable voters and instill some courage in them. That’s what I was trying to do and it will be clear to anyone who watches the entire video. The EC is obliged to watch the footage during the investigation and the truth will come out,” said Lalan.
The former JD(U) president has been campaigning hard in Mokama, which falls under his Munger Lok Sabha seat, ever since party candidate Anant Singh was arrested in connection with the killing of Dular Chand Yadav, a local strongman who supported Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party.
The Union minister alleged that “abusive slogans targeting a certain caste were raised” at the behest of the RJD in Yadav’s funeral procession.
Mr. Lalan and Anant Singh belong to the powerful upper caste Bhumihar.
Published – 5 Nov 2025 22:32 IST
