The upcoming Bihar assembly elections have brought back memories of Mohammad Shahabuddin, the strongman who dominated Siwan politics for years until his criminal convictions led to imprisonment. His son, 31-year-old Osama Shahab, is now contesting from Raghunathpur constituency on a Rashtriya Janata Dal ticket, carrying his father's controversial legacy into the political arena. Shahabuddin, a four-time MP who controlled North Bihar politics from 1996 to 2004, died in 2021 after serving life imprisonment for multiple murder cases. His name still evokes mixed emotions across Siwan district, with younger voters drawn to his legend while older residents recall a climate of terror. The family has not won any election in Siwan since Shahabuddin's fall, yet his reputation persists. The contest in Raghunathpur features a diverse electorate including Yadavs, Muslims, Dalits, Rajputs, and Extremely Backward Classes. Current MLA Harishankar Yadav, who retained the seat in 2020 by 17,965 votes, is campaigning alongside Osama. However, the reunification of Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party with the National Democratic Alliance has tightened the race. Meanwhile, in Siwan constituency, BJP Health Minister Mangal Pandey faces RJD veteran Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, with Shahabuddin's shadow influencing voter sentiment across the district.
Young Voters Rally Behind Osama Despite Father's Criminal Past
Osama Shahab draws enthusiastic crowds as he campaigns through Muslim colonies and Yadav-dominated villages, though his style contrasts sharply with his father's commanding presence. The quiet candidate makes brief stops, unlike Shahabuddin who once transformed rallies into displays of power. Many young supporters dismiss concerns about the elder Shahabuddin's criminal record. Ravi Sharma, a 23-year-old from the Barhaee caste, believes Osama's youth and education will help him understand problems better, arguing that violent times cannot return. YouTube singer Mannu Matlabi points out that crimes continue today without Shahabuddin's involvement. Migrant workers in Chakri express hope that Osama might bring development, noting that Shahabuddin's name remains known even outside Bihar. A barber in Raghunathpur town credits the strongman with establishing engineering and medical colleges locally, while acknowledging that changing the government has become the priority for many residents.
Shahabuddin's Reign of Fear and Convictions
Mohammad Shahabuddin's political career ended following convictions in at least six criminal cases, including kidnapping and murder. In 2015, he received life imprisonment for the August 16, 2004 double murder of brothers Satish and Girish, whose bodies were drenched in acid and never recovered. The sole witness, Rajiv Roshan, faced threats against testifying but refused to back down. He was shot dead on June 16, 2014, just three days before his scheduled court appearance. Shahabuddin's name also surfaced in the killing of former JNUSU president Chandrashekhar Prasad in 1997 and journalist Rajdev Ranjan, whose family publicly accused him. Despite his incarceration in 2008, his influence continued from prison. His criminal record casts a long shadow, with even some Yadavs reportedly unwilling to support his son due to this stigma.
Mixed Memories Shape Electoral Calculations
Older residents recall Shahabuddin's era with complicated nostalgia, remembering both the order he imposed and the terror he spread. Newspaper vendor Lal Singh Karn remembers when doctors charged only Rs 50 and officials feared taking bribes, contrasting it with today's corruption. However, he also recalls the pervasive fear when people were scared to speak loudly at home. Vinod Kumar Patel credits Shahabuddin with helping people but rejects returning to those days due to harassment by RJD workers. Younger voters express frustration with current governance, citing unemployment, corruption, and delayed examinations. Poor turnout at some Dalit settlements during Osama's visits reveals weak local coordination. In homes, loyalties split between generations, with mothers praising Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's welfare schemes while children campaign for RJD, showing how Siwan continues grappling with Shahabuddin's enduring yet controversial legacy seventeen years after his political downfall.
Source: Link