Patna : With the first phase of Bihar Assembly polls five days away, scrutiny has intensified on candidates whose affidavits reveal both substantial assets and a history of criminal cases. The dominance of muscle power in Bihar’s politics is well established, with many candidates leveraging their influence and financial strength to consolidate support.
Multiple aspirants have declared assets running into crores of rupees. Several face serious charges, including murder, kidnapping and extortion. Mokama constituency in Patna stands out as a focal point for both wealth and muscle power. Anant Singh, a gangster-turned-prominent Janata Dal (United) leader, has declared assets totalling Rs 37.88 crore, comprising landholdings, commercial properties and several luxury vehicles such as a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Fortuner.
Mokama constituency in Patna stands out as a focal point for both wealth and muscle power. Anant Singh, a gangster-turned-prominent Janata Dal (United) leader, has declared assets totalling Rs 37.88 crore, comprising landholdings, commercial properties and several luxury vehicles such as a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Fortuner. His affidavit also lists 28 criminal cases against him, involving charges from murder to illegal possession of weapons.
Opposing Anant Singh in Mokama is Veena Devi, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate and the wife of Suraj Bhan Singh. She has declared assets of Rs 8.67 crore, including two flats in Patna valued at Rs 6.95 crore and 1.2 kilograms of gold. Other constituencies feature similar patterns, such as Barh, where RJD candidate Karanveer Singh (Lallu Mukhiya) has declared assets of Rs 17.72 crore and faces 15 criminal cases, including those related to murder and kidnapping.
RJD’s Ritlal Rai has declared Rs 7.71 crore in assets and over 30 criminal cases, including murder and extortion. JD(U)’s Amarendra Kumar Pandey from Kuchaykot has declared assets of Rs 5.69 crore, multiple business interests and 14 criminal cases, including attempted murder and rioting. The influence of money and legacy extends to the Nawada district, particularly in Warisaliganj.
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