Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, October 25
Wives of two musclemen in Bihar are locked in a tough electoral battle in Bihar’s Barh assembly constituency that is going to mid-term polls.
Ms Neelam Devi, wife of muscleman Anant Kumar Singh, has been pitted against BJP’s Sonam Devi. The latter is the wife of another muscleman Lallan Singh, who recently crossed over to the saffron camp after quitting JDU that he had joined last year.
The by-election was necessitated following disqualification of Anant due to his conviction in a criminal case. He is presently lodged in Beur Central Jail. Lallan had unsuccessfully contested against Anant thrice in the past as LJP and Jan Adhikar Party candidate.
Barh, 40 km from the state capital, will go to the polls on November 3. Both the candidates, who are in their late 40s, are giving tough fight. Being women, they are seeking votes even in the puja pandals and different places on the bank of Ganga, where devotees of the Chhath festival have put up their temporary tents to offer evening and morning oblations (Arghya) to the Sun God.
Both are residents of Barh-Momama, considered to be the strongholds of the upper castes-Bhumihar castes who outnumber other voters. Their number is estimated at two lakhs against 50,000 extremely backward castes-Koeris and Kurmis,Yadavs and Muslims,who are from backward castes.
The constituency had been represented by Bhumihars since 1952. The then Union Minister, Ms Krishna Shahi, even got elected to the state assembly twice before entering Lok Sabha.
Anant Kumar Singh was with JDU, but he had joined RJD before the 2020 elections. He had been elected even as an independent to the state assembly. In his fourth term in the House was an RJD member, but following his conviction by the MP, MLA special court, he was disqualified. His wife too faces criminal cases registered at Sachivalaya, Kotwali, Barh, Mokama police stations and charged with attempt to murder, violation of Arms Act, harbouring to criminal etc.
She is facing trial in different courts at Patna and Barh. She is getting support from the workers who are loyal to Anant Singh, RJD and Left parties supporting the Mahagathbandhan. The Vikashsheel Insaan Party President, Mukesh Sahni, has also extended support of the Nishad community who have a strong 3,000- voters base in the constituency.
The BJP candidate’s rally was joined by the President of the State Unit, Sanjay Jaiswal, leaders of opposition in assembly and legislative council Vijay Kumar Sinha and Samrat Chaudhury.
According to the local leaders, the candidate matters more than the party in Barh and the two women with the identities known because of their husbands, would influence the voting.
