Dark shades, a defiant moustache, and a commanding presence—once regarded as running a parallel government in Bihar. When election battles arise, it matters not who stands against him or which politicians campaign in opposition. This leader has gripped the pulse of the electorate so convincingly that victory is inevitably his. Not once or twice but six times has this phenomenon occurred. Yes, we're talking about Mokama's Don and the 'Chhote Sarkar' affectionately known among the masses as Anant Singh.
Currently under discussion is Anant Singh of Ladma village in Barh, because once again, the Mokama Assembly seat has bowed to his influence. However, this time Anant Singh was not physically in the electoral arena. His assembly membership was revoked following his sentencing under the Arms Act. After Anant Singh's disqualification, his wife Neelam Devi triumphed in the by-election for the now-vacant Mokama seat.
In Mokama, Anant Singh's stature is such that not political parties or notable leaders hold sway, but 'Chhote Sarkar' alone dictates. The equations of influential politicians like Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav, along with those of major political parties, crumble before him, and victory invariably falls into Anant Singh's lap. This isn’t mere speculation; the numbers speak for themselves.
Proximity with Nitish Kumar turned to Estrangement
Cast your mind back to the 2015 Assembly elections when the historically rival parties RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) and JD(U) (Janata Dal United) formed an unlikely alliance. Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar jointly campaigned. In the face of the Modi wave, the BJP rode its victory chariot with full force. Nitish Kumar had revoked Anant Singh's JD(U) ticket, which he had won in the 2010 election.
Previously, the police had incarcerated Anant Singh, sparking rumors that the close ties between him and Nitish Kumar had turned sour. There was also speculation that Lalu Yadav, as a member of the coalition government, had Singh jailed out of necessity. When JD(U) announced its candidates, replacing Anant Singh for the Mokama seat fueled further speculation about the growing rift between him and Nitish Kumar.
In 2015, He Overturned the Lalu-Nitish Calculations
After losing the JD(U) ticket, Anant Singh, even from jail, announced he would run in the election. His family and associates took charge of campaigning against the dominant grand alliance of JD(U)-RJD. Veteran politicians like Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav, who had put their might behind winning Mokama, were up against him. Big parties, grand coalitions, prominent leaders, and a multitude of political strategies were deployed. Yet, without a single day on the campaign trail, Anant Singh wrote another victory chapter. Despite all political maneuvers, when the results were announced, all efforts had been in vain.
The people of Mokama steadfastly placed their trust in 'Chhote Sarkar,' dismissing everything else. Singh’s independent victory strengthened his political image. After this election, the alliance between Lalu and Nitish disintegrated, with JD(U) forming the government with BJP, but the gap between Anant Singh and Nitish Kumar remained unchanged. Singh remained the darling of his supporters, even as he spent time in and out of jail.
In 2020, Anant Became an MLA on an RJD Ticket
Politics has a way of making friends of foes. Anant Singh's political journey is a testament to this. The same Nitish Kumar he once weighed with silver coins, and who had once held him in high regard, now found himself an unwelcome sight for Anant Singh. Lalu Yadav, who had previously opposed Singh, welcomed him into RJD as the political dynamics shifted. After the JD(U) alliance broke, RJD awarded Anant Singh a ticket in the 2020 elections, and he proved once again that it doesn't matter which party or if he runs independent, victory would be his.
After winning for the fifth time and losing his assembly membership following a sentence in a case involving recovery of AK-47s and grenades from his home, he successfully secured the victory for his wife in the vacant Mokama seat by-election. Anant Singh's defeat of his rival's spouse, another powerful figure's wife, Sonam Devi, ensured that his hold over Mokama remained firm.
The Reasons Behind Anant Singh's Political Dominion
The victory of Anant Singh's wife Neelam Devi in the Mokama by-election has reignited debates about the unique bond between Mokama and Anant Singh. What is it in Singh's personality that makes him the only choice for the constituency's people, seen not just as a leader but as 'Chhote Sarkar'? Two theories are often discussed: some point to the electoral history of the Mokama seat, dominated by leaders from the Bhumihar caste. Others argue that even local Bhumihar stalwarts have tried their luck against Anant Singh to no avail.
People attribute Singh's string of victories to his Robin Hood-like persona. Akhilesh Kumar from Mokama shares that although outsiders might label Anant Singh a criminal or strongman, he is 'Chhote Sarkar' for the local people. He says that anyone facing problems, be it dowry issues for their daughter's wedding or other troubles, finds resolution at 'Chhote Sarkar’s' doorstep. Invitations sent to Anant Singh might not always lead to his presence, but his gift inevitably arrives.
Political Hegemony of Anant Singh in Mokama
Political parties will deliberate on the Mokama by-election results, and RJD will receive its share of accolades – something that has already begun. Yet those familiar with Bihar politics say this victory belongs neither to RJD nor is it a loss for BJP; it is a testament to Anant Singh's political hegemony in Mokama.
