One day to go for campaigning to end for the first phase, the Bihar Assembly elections have been peaceful barring a clash in the Mokama seat last week. JD(U) Mokama candidate and former MLA Anant Singh, who has been arrested for the incident, which led to the death of one, has at least 50 cases against him, going back to 1979. In its mandatory declaration regarding why it chose to field a candidate with criminal cases, the JD(U) said Anant Singh is a four-time MLA and known “philanthropist”.
“Poor people look upon him when in trouble and in times of need,” said the party, adding that it chose Anant Singh “because of (his) huge fan following”. “… party workers and leaders from the district have unanimously opined that Shri Anant Singh is the best choice among the available aspirants.”
If the JD(U) has gone into some details on reasons for fielding candidates with criminal cases, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj – which promised “strong, credible candidates”, and a departure from the politics of old – has given the exact same reason for all 34 of its candidates with cases against them, in a post on social media on October 27.
It identified each one of the 34 as “a good social worker (who) has been raising the voice of the weaker sections since a very long time”, and called “the demand of the people from (their) locality that (they) be selected as candidate” as the reason for picking them.
In its declarations, the BJP has dismissed the criminal cases against its candidates – it is contesting 101 seats – as “baseless”, while the RJD has said for at least 80 of its 143 candidates that they are “very popular”, “very active”, and that “no other candidate in the party is as good”.
In February 2020, the Supreme Court directed that political parties must publish detailed information about candidates with pending criminal cases on their websites, including the nature of offences and reasons for their selection. The Election Commission then issued orders making it mandatory for parties to publish in newspapers and their social media platforms and websites information regarding their candidates facing criminal cases, along with reasons for selecting them, and for why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected.
The JD(U)
On its website, the party, which is contesting 101 seats as a part of the NDA, has posted details of 25 candidates with pending criminal cases. For Anant Singh, while defending its choice of the bahubali who has reigned over Mokarma for decades, the JD(U) has shared details of 26 cases, including four related to murder, as well as allegations of sheltering criminals, criminal conspiracy, threats to commit murder, kidnappings, thefts, and recovery of illegal arms.
The JD(U)’s candidate for Pipra (Supaul district) is Rambilash Kamat, the sitting MLA, who is accused among other charges of going from house to house, beating people and looting them. The JD(U) declaration in Kamat’s case says: “Hailing from a region where year after year there are flood havocs, he has raised the issue in the state Assembly and has got relief to the people… Hence party workers from the district have recommended his name… An overwhelming majority… were of the opinion that Mr Rambilash Kamat is the best choice among the aspirants who had applied for the ticket from this constituency.”
Regarding its Rafiganj candidate Pramod Kumar Singh, named in a case of unlawful assembly armed with a dangerous weapon, among other charges, the JD(U) has cited the help Singh provides for marriage of girls of BPL families, and his contribution towards service delivery to the deprived. The declaration adds: “An overwhelming majority of the party workers were of the opinion that Mr Pramod Kumar Singh is the best choice among the aspirants who had applied for the ticket from this constituency.”
The JD(U)’s Belaganj candidate, Manorama Devi, a sitting MLA, faces charges of rioting, administering poison or drugs with intent to cause hurt, and under the Arms Act. Charges have been framed against her in two cases. The JD(U) declaration hails Manorama Devi’s “effective articulation of women’s empowerment measures implemented by Nitish Kumar”. “Overwhelming number of party workers, especially women, have prevailed upon the state party leadership to field her (Manorama Devi) as a candidate from here.”
For its Chainpur candidate, Zama Khan, who faces charges of rioting, among others, the JD(U) says: “Inspired by Nitish Kumar’s secular credentials, he has been aggressively articulating Nitish Kumar’s works relating to protection, welfare and empowerment of minorities, ensuring justice to 1989 Bhagalpur riot victims… reservation for EBCs among Muslims in various fields, securing graveyard lands by constructing boundary walls.” Adding that party workers had called for a ticket to Khan, the JD(U) says there have been no criminal cases or allegations against him after 2020.
Nabinar candidate Chetan Anand of the JD(U) is facing cases related to rioting, and attempt to murder, among others. The party notes in its declaration that Anand studied at the renowned Welham Boys’ School, Dehradun, and appreciates “the medical relief work undertaken by him during COVID-19”. “Moreover, his parents have been Members of Parliament… Hence he is thoroughly familiar with the people, area, and the local issues here.”
The BJP
For its Siwan candidate Mangal Pandey, named in three cases including rioting, attempt to murder and promoting enmity between different groups, the BJP has declared: “The cases against him are politically motivated. In view of his selfless work for the society, the party has preferred him as its candidate.”
For former Union minister and its Danapur candidate Ram Kripal Yadav, who is named in two cases, including assault on a public servant, the BJP has narrated his legislative experience and called him “the most accessible leader”. The cases against him are “baseless”, says the party.
Similarly, the party has dismissed charges against its Kalyanpur candidate Sachinendra Pratap Singh, calling them trivial and related to a private dispute. BJP Sahebganj candidate Raju Kumar Singh is named in 10 cases, including those falling under the SC/ST Act and Arms Act. The party says of Raju Kumar: “He is a well-known social worker… He has done remarkable work… In view of his selfless work for society, the party has preferred him as a candidate.”
The RJD
The party has shared declarations for around 80 of its 143 candidates on its X handle, using similar wording for all. Yusuf Salahuddin, contesting on the RJD ticket from Simri Bakhtiyarpur, was booked for violation of code of conduct during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The RJD says Salahuddin is its sitting MLA with the best chance of winning the seat, and adds: “He is very active for the development and welfare of his area… No other candidate in the party is as good as him.”
For its Nawada candidate and former MLA Kaushal Yadav, who is named in eight cases, including extortion, the RJD says: “He is politically popular in his constituency where he works consistently for the education of (the) poor. Being a former MLA, his winning possibilities are more than other candidates.”
The party gives the same reason for fielding from Dehri seat Guddu Kumar, who is named in five cases, including four of illegal liquor trading; and cites “political popularity” for fielding Deva Gupta in Motihari seat, who is named in over 28 cases, including allegations of “obscene” acts.
The Congress
Contesting 61 seats in alliance with the RJD, the Congress has made declarations regarding 40 candidates on its Facebook account. Regarding most of the candidates, the party has said they are senior party leaders, have held organisational positions, have a good track record of public service, enjoy the support of electorate and party cadre, are committed to the party’s ideals and ideologies, have a good understanding of local issues, and are accessible.
For the Congress’s Kadwa candidate Shakeel Ahmad Khan, who is named in nine cases, including rioting and assault on a public servant, the party says: “The candidate is a senior leader… is widely respected, has been a two-time MLA from the same constituency and has a deep understanding of local issues.”