Following a significant victory in Bihar, the question arises: can Anant Singh, a "Bahubali" figure, serve as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) despite being jailed on a murder charge? Anant Kumar Singh, also known as "Chhote Sarkar," is a politician with a long history in Bihar's Mokama constituency.
Singh's political career is marked by both electoral success and serious criminal accusations. According to his 2020 election affidavit, he faced 38 criminal charges, including multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, and kidnapping. In November 2025, he was arrested in connection with the murder of Dular Chand Yadav, a supporter of the Jan Suraaj Party. Yadav was killed on October 30, 2025, during a clash. Singh has denied the allegations, calling it a political conspiracy. Manikant Thakur and Ranjeet Ram were also arrested in connection with the case.
Despite his arrest, Singh contested the Bihar election. Even while jailed, early trends on counting day showed him leading by a significant margin. This potential win would mark his sixth term as MLA. Previously, Singh has won elections from behind bars, such as in 2020 when he won while in jail on an RJD ticket. However, he was disqualified in 2022 due to a case involving illegal weapons.
Anant Singh's history is checkered with criminal cases, including accusations in the 2018 Reshma Khatoon murder and molestation case, as well as violent feuds with rivals like Surajbhan Singh. These conflicts have often resulted in fatalities. In 2019, he was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and grenades were discovered at his ancestral home. In 2022, he was convicted under the UAPA for possessing illegal weapons and sentenced to 10 years in prison, leading to his disqualification as an MLA. However, in August 2024, the Patna High Court acquitted him in the illegal arms act case.
Singh's relationship with various political parties has been complex. He was previously a member of the Janata Dal (United) (JDU) but left in 2015 after disagreements with Nitish Kumar. He then joined the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in 2020. His wife, Nilam Devi, won the by-election from Mokama on an RJD ticket after his disqualification but later switched to JDU when it left the Mahagathbandhan.
Given his current imprisonment on a murder charge, the question of whether Anant Singh can serve as an MLA remains complex. Legal precedents exist for disqualification upon conviction. However, until a conviction is secured in the Dular Chand Yadav murder case, the situation remains fluid.
In the meantime, posters supporting Anant Singh have surfaced in Mokama, with slogans anticipating his release from jail. The constituency remains politically charged, with a history of violence and strong affiliations. The Election Commission is closely monitoring the law and order situation in Mokama to ensure fair elections.
