Lok Sabha elections: Bahubalis hand poll mantle to wives in Bihar

In Bihar, though some bahubalis, or strongmen, have been sidelined in politics, they have managed to remain in power via a simple strategy: getting parties to nominate their wives and relatives to act as their proxies.

This Lok Sabha election is no different. The Mahagathbandhan has announced the candidatures of three women whose husbands are yesteryear dons. These bahubalis have either been barred from contesting elections after convictions or denied tickets over their criminal histories.

While Congress gave tickets to Neelam Devi and sitting MP Ranjeet Ranjan from Munger and Supaul, respectively, RJD named Hena Shahab as its candidate from Siwan. Neelam is the wife of Mokama don-turned-politician Anant Singh while Ranjeet is married to Madhepura MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav. Hena’s husband is former Siwan MP and jailed don Mohd Shahabuddin.


Anant Singh, a three-term MLA from Mokama in Patna district, chose his wife Neelam to contest in his stead as Congress had reservations over his image, sources said.

Kavita, whose husband Ajay Singh is a notorious gangster in northern Bihar, became MLA from Daraundha in Siwan district after the seat fell vacant following the death of Ajay’s mother Jagmato Devi. Pappu Yadav was an accused in the murder of an MLA in 1998 but was later acquitted. He won in 2014 from Madhepura on an RJD ticket and is seeking re-election as an independent from that seat.

Bihar’s dons have clearly changed their strategy. “Two decades ago, they contested themselves. Now, they want to continue ruling by proxy,” said a politician.