Osama Shahab, the 31-year-old son of late Siwan strongman and former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin, is consolidating his debut win in Bihar’s Raghunathpur assembly seat. As of the sixth round of counting on November 14, 2025, the RJD candidate holds a lead of 5,139 votes over JD(U)’s Vikash Kumar Singh, with 22,996 votes to Singh’s 17,908. This marks a surge from a 3,478-vote edge in round four, signaling RJD’s grip on this Siwan district stronghold amid NDA’s statewide dominance.
The constituency, part of the Siwan Lok Sabha seat, voted on November 6 with 61.45% turnout. A special electoral roll revision—the first in Bihar since 2003—ensured broader inclusion, boosting stakes in this RJD bastion.
Round-by-Round Breakdown: Shahab’s Steady Climb
Early postal ballots saw JD(U) ahead, but RJD flipped the script in EVM rounds. Here’s the progression:
| Round | Osama Shahab (RJD) | Vikash Kumar Singh (JD(U)) | Lead Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Trailing (7,491) | Leading (7,536) | -45 |
| 3 | Leading | Trailing | +725 |
| 4 | 12,867 | 11,491 | +3,478 |
| 6 | 22,996 | 17,908 | +5,088 |
| Latest (Round 6) | ~26,814 (updated trends) | 21,675 | +5,139 |
Data from ECI via multiple sources; full counts expected by evening on results.eci.gov.in.
Legacy of Shahabuddin: From ‘Bahubali’ to Family Heir
Raghunathpur has been RJD turf since 1990, with Shahabuddin’s shadow looming large—he won Siwan Lok Sabha six times (1996-2009) despite jail time for crimes like double murder. Osama, facing two minor criminal cases, steps into this amid NDA’s “jungle raj” barbs from Amit Shah, who invoked Shahabuddin’s name to rally against RJD’s past. In 2015, RJD’s Harishankar Yadav won by 10,622 votes (41.98% share) over BJP’s Manoj Kumar Singh.
Vikash Kumar Singh, NDA’s pick under Nitish Kumar, banks on development pitches but trails in this Yadav-Muslim dominated seat. Jan Suraaj’s Rahul Kirti and others like Pashupati Nath Chaturvedi (Janshakti Janta Dal) lag far behind.
Broader Bihar Context: RJD Pocket Win Amid NDA Sweep
This RJD lead bucks the trend—NDA commands 190+ leads statewide, with BJP at 84 and JD(U) at 77, eyeing Nitish’s fifth term. Mahagathbandhan, including RJD’s 34 seats, faces setbacks, but Raghunathpur offers a morale boost for Tejashwi Yadav’s camp. Siwan neighbors like Darauli (LJP lead) and Maharajganj (JD(U) ahead) tilt NDA.
Security remains tight at Siwan centers amid high drama. A Shahab victory could revive RJD’s Siwan legacy, but NDA vows a late surge.
