Patna: As the Bihar assembly elections approach, an analysis of affidavits submitted by candidates and their family members reveals a striking disparity in wealth among the state’s well-known strongmen. Anant Singh, the JDU candidate from Mokama, tops the list with assets worth ₹37.88 crore, making him the wealthiest contender in the fray.
Anant Singh and Family Wealth
Anant Singh owns movable and immovable assets totaling ₹37.88 crore, including multiple plots of land and the commercial complex Hasan Manzil on Fraser Road, Patna. He has a passion for luxury vehicles, owning a Toyota Land Cruiser worth ₹2.70 crore, a Fortuner worth ₹48 lakh, and an XUV worth ₹5 lakh. His wife, Neelam Devi, surpasses him in wealth with assets worth ₹62.72 crore, which include high-end vehicles and significant investments in equity shares. The couple collectively owns gold and silver valued at over ₹91 lakh.
Despite their wealth, the couple has debts totaling ₹51 crore. Anant Singh faces 28 criminal cases, ranging from murder and kidnapping to illegal weapons possession, highlighting the controversial nature of many strongmen in Bihar politics.
Other Notable Candidates
RJD’s Karanveer Singh, also known as Lallu Mukhiya from Barh, comes second in wealth with ₹17.72 crore in assets. He owns commercial and non-commercial real estate, luxury vehicles, weapons, and substantial gold. Lallu Mukhiya faces 15 criminal cases including murder, extortion, and kidnapping.
LJP (R) candidate Hulas Pandey from Brahmapur has assets worth ₹12.19 crore and two criminal cases, while RJD candidate Veena Devi, wife of Suraj Bhan Singh contesting Mokama, has assets worth ₹8.67 crore, outpacing her husband.
Other strongmen candidates include Ritlal Rai from Danapur with ₹7.71 crore in assets and 30 criminal cases, Bahubali Amarendra Kumar Pandey from Kuchaikot with ₹5.69 crore in assets and 14 criminal cases, and Manoranjan Singh alias Dhumal Singh from Ekma with ₹3.27 crore in assets and no criminal cases.
Among younger candidates, Shahabuddin’s son Osama Shahab from Raghunathpur has assets of ₹2.31 crore with five criminal cases, while Chetan Anand, son of Anand Mohan from Nabinagar, has assets worth ₹1.46 crore. Anita Devi, wife of gangster Ashok Mahto contesting Warisaliganj, owns assets worth ₹1.31 crore, with her husband facing one criminal case.
At the lower end of the spectrum, BJP candidate Aruna Devi, wife of Akhilesh Singh, has assets worth ₹92.57 lakh, while Shivani Shukla, daughter of jailed strongman Munna Shukla from Lalganj, is the least wealthy, with assets worth ₹21.28 lakh but debts of ₹36.57 lakh due to an education loan.
Wealth and Criminality in Bihar Politics
The analysis underscores the intersection of wealth, influence, and criminal cases among strongmen in Bihar’s political landscape. While some candidates like Manoranjan Singh and Aruna Devi have no criminal charges, many others face multiple cases ranging from murder to extortion, highlighting the controversial role of strongmen in electoral politics.
As voters prepare for the polls, the contrast in wealth, assets, and criminal backgrounds among candidates is expected to influence campaigning and electoral strategies across the state.
