Patna: The 2025 Bihar Assembly elections were pitched as a contest of new vision and development blueprints, yet in several high-stakes constituencies, the political battles are merely reruns of old scores. The dominant theme is the quiet, but undeniable, return of the “Bahubali (strongman) families”.
In approximately a dozen seats across Bihar, the powerful leaders themselves, their wives, sons, or brothers are in the fray, maintaining a firm grip on political turf that has been traditionally defined by personal clout and muscle power rather than policy alone.
The Transfer of Power: Families in the Electoral Arena
The following prominent strongman families are currently attempting to convert raw political influence into legislative seats, often leading to high-voltage, direct confrontations:
- The Mokama Muscle Match-up
Mokama, historically the epicenter of Bahubali politics, is set for another “muscle versus muscle battle.” The Janata Dal (United) has once again nominated strongman Anant Singh, who previously held this seat. He will be facing the family of his long-time rival, former MP Suraj Bhan Singh. Suraj Bhan Singh is not contesting, but his wife, Veena Devi, is the candidate for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), setting up the traditional ‘Anant vs. Suraj Bhan family’ rivalry in a fresh avatar.
- The Legacy of the Kosi Strongman
The influence of Anand Mohan, the former RJD MP and ‘Rajput strongman’, continues to resonate, particularly in the Kosi and Seemanchal regions, despite him serving a life sentence and being away from active politics. His son, Chetan Anand, is contesting the 2025 election on an RJD ticket from the Navi Nagar Constituency, signaling the family’s bid to institutionalize their social capital.
- Warisaliganj: The Wives’ Fierce Contest
The Warisaliganj seat hosts one of the most talked-about contests, described as a battle between the “wives of two strongmen.” RJD has fielded Anita Devi, the wife of strongman Ashok Mahato, who will face a stiff challenge from BJP’s Aruna Devi, the wife of the late strongman Akhilesh Singh. This contest underscores how women in these families are often leveraged to sustain political dominance when male members are legally constrained or deceased.
- Shahabuddin’s Siwan Scion
The late Mohammad Shahabuddin, a formidable RJD strongman, still commands influence in Siwan. His son, Osama Shahab, an individual who returned to Bihar after studying law in London, is the RJD candidate from the Raghunathpur Seat. His candidature represents a deliberate effort by the RJD to capitalize on the family’s established political base while introducing a new, albeit controversial, face to the assembly.
- Other Seats of Contention
The trend is replicated across various districts:
- Lalganj (Vaishali): Shivani Shukla, daughter of former strongman MLA Munna Shukla, is carrying the family flag from this traditional stronghold.
- Nawada: Vibhadevi, wife of former RJD minister Rajvallabh Yadav, is once again contesting from this seat, continuing her role as the de facto political representative for her husband.
- Tarari Seat: Vishal Prashant, the son of former JD (U) MLA Sunil Pandey, is contesting, representing the transfer of power to the younger generation in the Magadh region.
Political Continuity Over Clean Slate
The presence of these family members on the ticket—regardless of party affiliation (JD (U), RJD, or BJP)—reveals a pragmatic, and perhaps cynical, calculation by political parties: established local influence and control of votes trump concerns over criminal records or dynastic entitlement.
As the political arena fills with scions and spouses, the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections demonstrate that the deep-seated political pathology of relying on “strongman families” has not been cured. Instead, it has evolved, with a new generation stepping up to ensure the powerful legacies of their fathers and husbands endure, defining the political landscape once again.
