New Delhi:
In the heart of Bihar, along the bank of the Holi Ganges, the town of Mokama (in the district of Patna) is an important and historically significant town known for being an industrial area in the past, a major lentil production centre. Today, Mokama stands as a cruel irony, a testament to the complex interplay of crime and politics. In this microcosm, the past and present collide in a vivid tapestry of violence, power, and electoral ambition. As the 2025 assembly elections approach, the stakes have never been higher, with the spectre of old rivalries reemerging amid the backdrop of new allegations. The recent arrest of Anant Singh, a 64-year-old Bhumihar candidate from the JD(U), on charges related to the murder of 75-year-old Dular Chand Yadav, a gangster-turned-politician, underscores the enduring influence of strongmen in this tumultuous region, reigniting a fierce contest against Singh’s longtime adversary, Suraj Bhan Singh, another infamous Bhumihar strongman.Mokama, located just 70 kilometres from Patna, has been marred by a bloody history that intertwines the lives of its political heavyweights. Anant Singh and Suraj Bhan Singh, both notorious figures from the Bhumihar caste, have long been embroiled in a cycle of violence that dates back to the 1980s. Their past is littered with gunfire and bloodshed, as they rose to power through muscle and menace, navigating a political landscape where muscle power often eclipsed strategy.
The recent killing of Jan Suraaj supporter Yadav (an old Lalu Prasad acolyte) during clashes between political factions adds a grim chapter to Mokama’s contemporary narrative. This incident, involving Anant Singh’s supporters, not only highlights the precariousness of political life in the region but also serves as a chilling reminder of the ruthless tactics that define the arena. As the police investigate the circumstances surrounding Yadav’s death, the town holds its breath, caught between the ghosts of its violent past and the uncertain promise of electoral change.
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