Mokama, Patna District : The Mokama assembly seat is witnessing a high-stakes battle as don-turned-politician Anant Kumar Singh, popularly known as ‘Chhote Sarkar’, contests on a JD(U) ticket, while Veena Devi represents the RJD. The constituency, long dominated by Singh’s family, has seen the family winning consistently since 1990, except for a brief period when it was captured by a rival ‘bahubali’.

Anant Singh’s wife, Neelam Devi, had won the Mokama seat on an RJD ticket in the 2020 elections but later shifted her support to the NDA government in Bihar. Meanwhile, RJD, has vowed to give ‘Chhote Sarkar’ a tough fight.

Confidence from both camps

JD(U) candidate, Anant Singh, "We will ensure the Opposition's deposit (for the election) gets forfeited." He further added that, "The people are with me. The people are my God. They will vote for me."

Meanwhile, on local issues, he added, "There are no issues. I have to move among the people (for campaigning). And after the election, whatever work is left will be completed."

Veena Devi's campaign is being led by her husband and gangster-turned-politician Suraj Bhan Singh, and their supporters appear equally determined in their support.

Suraj Bhan Singh expressed similar confidence:"I stay here amid the people. People will decide. I have faith in myself because I trust the people. Their blessings... I have met them and will continue to meet."

On constituency issues, he said: "All issues are in my mind. Whoever forms the government... I am aware of the issues and the pending work. There is no need to write them down. I shall act on those issues."

Meanwhile, responding to Anant Singh’s assertion of assured victory, he stated: "I don't know who says what. I only know what I have to say."

Anant Singh on the challenge posed by his opponent, said:"I am not bothered. I have been fighting for the past twenty or thirty years. The fight is not new."

Asked about claims of his opponent forming the government, he responded:"What else? Who would ever say that we are losing this election?"

Contest and voter sentiment

Voters appear largely aligned with Singh, with issues taking a backseat in the narrative. According to Dayanand Sharma, a Mokama resident, "Development. That's all. Nothing else."

On the expected winner, he added, "Janata Dal (United). There is a wave from the top, as well as an undercurrent."

Meanwhile, another voter, Asha Devi, expressed firm support: "There is no problem at all. We all are with Anant Babu (JD-U candidate). We will not vote for anyone else."

Veena Devi’s campaign, led by her husband, Suraj Bhan Singh, is also showing strong determination. Some voters highlighted pressing local issues.

Phloochand Mahato ,a voter, said, 'The main issues here... the factories are closed here. The cotton mill is closed. Bharat Wagons is closed. Godowns are closed. RMS shifted to Bakhtiarpur. The Agriculture Minister and Modiji came here and said Mokama is 'Mini Calcutta'. We don't want to be Mini Calcutta, Modiji should return our old Mokama. Please convey our grievance to Sushasan Babu (Nitish Kumar) and to Modiji, that give back our old Mokama.."

Another voter DevkI Devi cited basic civic problems: "There are problems of water, housing... We had to run helter skelter for water on festival days....Poor people need homes, water, roads... and sewage systems."

Mokama is set to go to polls in the first phase on November 6.