Patna, Mar 06: The jailed leader of a private militia of landowners plans to take on Bihar's ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in a key constituency in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Brahameshwar Singh alias Mukhiya, the founder of the Ranvir Sena is in Arrah jail since 2002. He has said that he will contest from the Arrah parliamentary constituency.
The RJD's Ram Prasad Singh represented Arrah in the just-dissolved Lok Sabha.

The Sena is alleged to have killed about 300 people since it came into existence in 1994 to oppose the Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist (CPI-ML) that was espousing the cause of the tillers, as also of the backward classes in the state.

Singh said he decided to contest the election after an appeal made by the people of central Bihar, who are Ranvir Sena's main support base.
His statement was contained in a press release issued by the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtrvadi Kisan Sanghatan, a farmers organisation.

Singh blamed RJD supremo Laloo Prasad Yadav for Bihar's backwardness and lawlessness and said the party had to be defeated to save the state.
He has previously said his sena was keen on joining the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Praising Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Singh said it would be unfortunate if he does not return to power.

Though this is the first time the Sena would contest the parliamentary election, it has supported the BJP since the 1990s.

Patronised by upper caste Bhumihar landlords, it also enjoys the support of upper caste professionals from within and outside Bihar.
The Sena targets the lowest castes, including women and children, for supporting Maoist outfits that are opposed to the landlords.

The state government last May ignored a proposal made by a police officer to declare the Ranvir Sena a terrorist outfit under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). Bureau Report