Patna: Early trends from the Bihar assembly elections show a dramatic tilt across the state’s 15 strongman-dominated seats, with several heavyweight candidates pulling ahead by sizeable margins.
In Mokama, jailed JDU candidate Anant Singh is leading comfortably against Veena Devi, wife of former MP Suraj Bhan Singh. Posters put up by his supporters read, “The jail locks will be broken, my lion will be released.” At Singh’s Patna residence—popularly known as Chhote Sarkar’s house—celebrations have begun, even though official results are yet to be declared. Meanwhile, quiet prevails at Suraj Bhan’s home in Mokama.
In Kuchaikot, JDU candidate Amarendra Pandey is also ahead by a large margin as counting continues.
The picture is more mixed elsewhere. In Danapur, RJD strongman Ritlal Yadav, who maintained an early lead, has now slipped behind BJP’s Ramkripal Yadav. The BJP is additionally ahead in Tarari, where Vishal Prashant is leading, and in Raghunathpur, where Osama Shahabuddin, son of the late Mohammad Shahabuddin, has gained a steady advantage.
RJD candidate Shivani Shukla is trailing in Lalganj, while LJP (R) candidate Hulas Pandey holds the lead in Brahmapur.
Of the 15 strongman seats, eight candidates represent the NDA, while seven are from the Grand Alliance. With counting ongoing, these constituencies are shaping some of the most closely watched contests of the election.
Strongman seat trends (as per current leads)
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Danapur: RJD’s Ritlal Yadav trailing
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Mokama: JDU’s Anant Singh leading by a wide margin
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Raghunathpur: Osama Shahabuddin ahead
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Kuchaikot: JDU’s Amarendra Kumar leading
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Lalganj (Vaishali): RJD’s Shivani Shukla trailing
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Manjhi: JDU’s Randhir Singh ahead
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Bhagalpur: RJD’s Karnaveer Singh leading
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Brahmapur: LJP(R)’s Hulas Pandey ahead
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Ekma: JDU’s Manoranjan Singh leading
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Rupauli: RJD’s Bima Bharti trailing
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Nawada: Vibha Devi ahead
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Navinagar: JDU’s Chetan Anand trailing
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Jokihat: JDU candidate leading
