As Bihar plunges into election fervor for its 2025 assembly polls, the state’s entrenched ‘bahubali’ political landscape is once again in sharp focus. These powerful individuals, often referred to as strongmen, leverage a combination of muscle, money, and a reputation for intimidation to secure voter loyalty. This election cycle sees a formidable presence of such candidates, whose declared financial worth provides a stark indicator of their entrenched power.
One of the most prominent figures is Anant Singh, a JD(U) candidate from Mokama. His declared assets amount to Rs 37.88 crore, featuring a high-value Toyota Land Cruiser and other luxury vehicles. His wife, Neelam Devi, surpasses him financially with Rs 62.72 crore in assets, including an extensive jewellery collection and multiple SUVs. Their combined financial liabilities are substantial, exceeding Rs 50 crore. Singh’s political career is shadowed by 28 criminal cases, encompassing serious charges like murder, kidnapping, and illegal arms possession.
From Barh, RJD’s Karnveer Singh, popularly known as Lallu Mukhia, has declared assets totaling Rs 17.72 crore, which include licensed firearms and significant gold holdings. He faces fifteen criminal charges, with allegations of murder, extortion, and abduction.
In Buxar, Hulasa Pandey of the LJP (R) has declared assets of Rs 12.19 crore and carries two criminal cases. Meanwhile, Veena Devi, an RJD candidate from Mokama and wife of Surajbhan Singh, declares Rs 8.67 crore in assets, notably with no criminal record.
Danapur’s RJD candidate, Ritlal Rai, reports Rs 7.71 crore in assets alongside a formidable criminal record exceeding 30 cases, including murder and extortion. Amarendra Kumar Pandey (JD(U)) from Kuchaykot lists Rs 5.69 crore in assets and fourteen criminal cases, involving attempted murder and rioting. Manoranjan Singh, alias Dhumal Singh (JDU) from Ekma, has declared Rs 3.27 crore in assets and is free of criminal charges.
Osama Shahab, son of the late Mohammad Shahabuddin, contests from Siwan as an RJD candidate, declaring Rs 2.31 crore in assets and facing five criminal cases. Chetan Anand, son of Anand Mohan, is campaigning for JD(U) in Nabinagar with Rs 1.46 crore in assets and two criminal cases. Anita Devi (RJD) from Warisaliganj declares Rs 1.31 crore in assets, with her husband having one criminal case. Aruna Devi from BJP in the same constituency has declared Rs 92.57 lakh.
Shivani Shukla, daughter of Munna Shukla, is the RJD candidate from Lalganj, declaring Rs 21.28 lakh in assets and carrying a student loan. The Bihar elections highlight a persistent trend where candidates with significant financial resources and criminal backgrounds vie for power, forcing voters to weigh their choices carefully.