The Mokama Assembly seat in Bihar witnessed a highly anticipated electoral battle, and in the end, the power dynamics shifted significantly. Anant Kumar Singh, a prominent leader from the Janata Dal United (JD(U)), emerged victorious with a massive lead of 29,710 votes over his nearest rival, RJD’s Veena Devi. Anant Singh received a total of 81,692 votes, while Veena Devi secured 51,982 votes. The result marked another chapter in Anant Singh’s political dominance in the region, further cementing his place as a key player in Bihar’s political landscape.
Controversies Surrounding the Mokama Election
The Mokama seat had been surrounded by controversy even before the voting began. Anant Singh was arrested just ahead of the elections in connection with the murder of Piyush Priyadarshi’s supporter, Dularchand Yadav, in a case involving the Jan Suraaj Party. Singh was accused of being directly involved in the murder, a charge that made headlines and intensified political attacks on him and his party, JD(U), by the opposition. Despite the grave charges, Singh was granted bail shortly after his arrest and returned to campaign for the election, ultimately emerging victorious.
This controversial backdrop did not hinder Anant Singh’s popularity. In fact, despite the legal troubles and the attacks from political opponents, Singh’s support base in Mokama remained steadfast, reflecting his continued influence in the region.
Detailed Vote Share and Election Dynamics
The election results showed a clear margin in favor of Anant Singh, who comfortably defeated his rival, Veena Devi from the RJD. The total votes cast for Anant Singh were 81,692, while Veena Devi received 51,982 votes. This 29,710 vote difference was a significant lead that indicated Singh’s continued political appeal in Mokama. Meanwhile, Piyush Priyadarshi, the candidate from the Jan Suraaj Party, received 11,231 votes, which showed limited support for his campaign.
Veena Devi, the candidate from RJD, is married to the notorious former gangster and politician Surajbhan Singh. Surajbhan Singh, who has a dark past involving criminal charges, was convicted in 2008 for a murder case and was barred from contesting elections. Veena Devi’s candidacy was seen as a continuation of her husband’s political legacy. In fact, she had previously won a seat in the Lok Sabha from Munger in 2014 under the banner of the Lok Janshakti Party.
Anant Singh’s Political Legacy in Mokama
Anant Kumar Singh has had a stronghold on the Mokama Assembly constituency for over three decades. His influence, along with his family’s, has been a defining factor in the region’s politics. Since the early 1990s, Singh and his family have held considerable sway in Mokama. Singh’s brother, Dilip Singh, served as a minister in the Rabri Devi government and was an influential political figure. Dilip Singh won the Mokama seat twice in 1990 and 1995. However, after a series of political shifts, Anant Singh emerged as the dominant force in Mokama by 2005 and has not lost an election since.
Before joining JD(U), Anant Singh was affiliated with RJD and even ran as an independent candidate at times. Despite various controversies surrounding his name, he maintained an undefeated record in the elections, showcasing his political acumen and strong network of supporters in the region.
Challenges Faced by Anant Singh and Legal Issues
In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, Anant Singh was elected as an RJD legislator but was later disqualified due to his involvement in an Arms Act case. In 2019, the police found an AK-47 rifle and explosive materials in his residence located in Nadhwana village. This discovery led to his disqualification from the Bihar Assembly. However, in 2024, Anant Singh was acquitted in the case and subsequently rejoined JD(U) to contest the 2025 elections. Despite the controversy surrounding his legal issues, Singh’s ability to recover from the setbacks and continue to dominate Mokama’s political scene speaks volumes about his strong base and enduring political legacy.
The Contest Between Anant Singh and Veena Devi
The contest in Mokama was primarily between Anant Singh from JD(U) and Veena Devi from RJD. As the wife of the notorious gangster-politician Surajbhan Singh, Veena Devi had her own set of challenges to overcome. Her husband’s criminal past, coupled with his legal troubles, had a significant impact on her political career. Despite this, Veena Devi managed to secure a substantial number of votes in the region, but it was not enough to defeat Anant Singh’s dominance.
Veena Devi’s campaign was largely built around continuing her husband’s political legacy, especially since Surajbhan Singh had been a strong figure in the region until his conviction. Despite being disqualified from contesting elections, Surajbhan’s influence remained a crucial factor in Veena Devi’s campaign, but it was ultimately not sufficient to overcome Anant Singh’s established stronghold in the constituency.
Political Shifts and the Role of Family in Mokama
The role of family in Mokama’s political landscape cannot be overlooked. Anant Singh’s family has been at the center of local politics for years. His brother, Dilip Singh, played an essential role in shaping the family’s political future, and Anant Singh continued this legacy. His rise to prominence in the mid-2000s marked the beginning of a new era for the family in Mokama. His wife, Neelam Devi, had previously held the seat in Mokama, but this time, Anant Singh himself contested and secured the victory.
The political battle between the Singh family and their rivals, especially the RJD’s candidates, has been intense. The influence of powerful family networks, such as the Singhs and the Devis, has shaped the political discourse in Mokama for years, and their impact is still felt strongly in the 2025 elections.
Anant Kumar Singh’s victory in the Mokama Assembly seat in 2025 was another demonstration of his political strength and dominance in the region. Despite facing legal troubles, allegations, and intense competition from rivals like Veena Devi, Singh’s popularity remained unwavering. His win reaffirmed his position as a key political player in Bihar, particularly in Mokama, where his influence continues to shape the political landscape.
The Mokama election highlighted the complex dynamics of family politics, legal controversies, and regional power struggles. With Anant Singh’s victory, JD(U) has further solidified its presence in the state, but it remains to be seen how his legal battles and political maneuvers will impact his future in Bihar’s political arena. Mokama’s voters have once again chosen the Singh family’s leadership, ensuring that their legacy continues to dominate the region for the foreseeable future.
