The politics of Bihar has revolved around strongmen for the last three decades. The more musclemen a party has, the greater is its guarantee of forming the government. State Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who today has the image of Good Governance Babu, has taken the help of many mafias from time to time to shine his politics. But since last decade every party tries to show that it keeps distance from the mafia.
Nitish Kumar After developing the image of Sushasan Kumar, he started maintaining distance from the mafia leaders. But the way he is openly giving tickets to mafia leaders in this time’s assembly elections, it has become clear that his faith has been shaken. In fact, in the 2020 elections, JDU got very less seats compared to BJP and RJD. That’s why perhaps they feel that only the support of mafia leaders can handle their boat. When RJD, which was infamous for its tainted leaders, came into the hands of Tejashwi Yadav, it once seemed that the party would distance itself from the mafia. Following the path of Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi also tried to distance himself from some mafia families. But when he did not get success, he also started liking the mafia.
But now the question arises that when JDU itself Anant Singh For example, if a mafia turned politician has been given ticket from Mokama, then on what basis will she be able to target the mafia leaders of RJD? JDU has given a chance to 3 strongmen in its first list. Anant Singh from Mokama, Dhumal Singh from Ekma, Amarendra Pandey from Kuchaikot have been given symbols by the party. Obviously, many names will still be seen in the second list also. Many mafia leaders are waiting for tickets. NDA’s other party BJP is also not going to lag behind in giving tickets to tainted leaders.
on the other side RJD has also given tickets to a total of three strongmen in the list released so far. But RJD has been infamous for giving tickets to the mafia. In the name of Jungle Raj, the public has rejected him in the last three Lok Sabha elections and two assembly elections. Therefore the question should be raised on NDA only.
RJD has given ticket to Osama Shahab, the only son of late Bahubali leader Mohammad Shahabuddin, from Raghunathpur assembly seat. Shahabuddin, popularly known as ‘Saheb’, was a notorious criminal-politician from Siwan. He was surrounded by allegations of murder, kidnapping and death in judicial custody. Osama’s mother Heena Shahab had met Lalu-Tejashwi in April and demanded this seat. NDA has been targeting Lalu Yadav for encouraging leaders like Shahabuddin for Jungle Raj. Even NDA leaders have been raising questions on Shahabuddin’s family getting a place on the platform of India Block. But the question arises that when leaders with the image of good governance have to take shelter of mafia leaders to win elections, then how will they complain that RJD is not in power?
Why did Sushasan Babu have to take refuge in the mafia?
In fact, in Bihar politics, Bahubali is a necessary evil of any party. They are also key players in controlling development, security and caste equations at the local level. In the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) or JDU has staked its alliance on 101 seats. So far 3 strongmen have got tickets. It is expected that at least 3 more people from Bahubali families will be given tickets.
Giving tickets to the strongmen, so to speak, this step is part of the strategy of JDU in which the strongmen of the Grand Alliance are used to counter. To counter the influence of Pappu Yadav, Ashok Mahato, Bhai Virendra or Chandrashekhar Prasad, JDU is fielding its strongmen. The role of the strongmen in Bihar is not only electoral, but they also outweigh the government administration in mobilizing voters, stopping booth capturing and resolving local disputes.
This move of JDU is an attempt to strengthen the NDA, where along with BJP they want to reverse the defeat of 2020 (125 seats to the Grand Alliance). But will this strategy succeed?
Why was Anant Singh needed?
Anant Singh won as an independent in 2015 and on RJD ticket in 2020 (with wife Neelam Devi). However, before that they Janata Dal United Had become MLA by contesting elections from. Became MLA on RJD ticket in 2020, but after Nitish Kumar returned to NDA in 2024, Anant Singh joined JDU. Now once again he is contesting elections from Mokama on JDU ticket.
The rise of Anant Kumar Singh from Bahubali to JDU candidate is a symbol of the rural politics of Bihar. Born in 1969 in Ladma village of Munger district, Anant Singh entered the world of crime in the 1990s. His elder brother Dilip Singh, who was an MLA from RJD, helped him get on the political track. Anant Singh’s strength lies in his ‘small government’ image. In an area like Mokama, where the crime rate is high, he is a messiah for the local people. His supporters showed enthusiasm in the nomination by organizing a road show of 1,000 vehicles and distributing 1.25 lakh Gulab Jamuns. But there is no less controversy over his name. Despite there being cases of murder, explosives and UAPA, JDU adopted him. Because only strong leaders like him can challenge RJD’s strongmen.
JDU’s strategy: Bahubali vs Bahubali
JDU supporters make the excuse of an eye for an eye strategy behind giving ticket to Anant Singh. Whether this is an attempt to convert the weakness of NDA into strength or an attempt to weaken the strength of NDA will be revealed only in the election results.
The powerful elements of RJD in Mokama will be divided with the arrival of Anant Singh. Anant’s 30 years old dominance makes him a ‘kingmaker’. By winning on RJD ticket in 2020, he proved that he is strong at the booth level. JDU claims that more than 60,000 votes are confirmed from Anant, which will reduce RJD’s 40,000 votes.
Anant Singh belongs to the Bhumihar caste, which constitutes 3-4% of the voters in Bihar. RJD is wooing Bhumihars under Tejashwi’s leadership (e.g. by giving ticket to Sunil Singh), but Anant’s NDA support will divert Bhumihar votes towards BJP-JDU.
The strength of the Bahubali lies in booth management. Anant Singh’s road show of 1,000 vehicles showed that he could unite the workers. It is expected that JDU can also give tickets to many other strongmen.
—- End —-
