Patna: Initial results from the Bihar assembly elections indicate a significant advantage for several prominent candidates across the state’s 15 strongman-heavy constituencies. In Mokama, incarcerated JDU candidate Anant Singh is comfortably leading Veena Devi, the spouse of former MP Suraj Bhan Singh. Supporters have displayed posters proclaiming, “The jail locks will be broken, my lion will be released.” Celebrations have commenced at Singh’s residence in Patna, known locally as Chhote Sarkar’s house, despite the official results still pending. Conversely, a sense of calm surrounds Suraj Bhan’s home in Mokama. Similarly, in Kuchaikot, JDU candidate Amarendra Pandey is also showing a significant lead as the counting progresses. The situation is more varied in other areas.
In Danapur, RJD strongman Ritlal Yadav, who initially led, has now fallen behind BJP’s Ramkripal Yadav. The BJP is further ahead in Tarari, where Vishal Prashant is in the lead, and in Raghunathpur, where Osama Shahabuddin, son of the late Mohammad Shahabuddin, has established a steady advantage. RJD candidate Shivani Shukla is currently trailing in Lalganj, while LJP (R) candidate Hulas Pandey leads in Brahmapur. Among the 15 strongman seats, eight candidates are affiliated with the NDA, and seven are from the Grand Alliance. As counting continues, these districts are emerging as some of the most closely monitored contests in the election.
