Three 'Bahubalis' in JD(U)’s first list for Bihar election: Who are they

JDU and BJP are contesting 101 seats each in the election to the 243-member Bihar Assembly.

As the deadline for nominations nears, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) released its first list for the two-phase Bihar election on November 6 and 11.

In the list comprising 57 candidates, there are five seats that were reportedly eyed by Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas). CM Nitish Kumar, who is seeking a record fifth consecutive term in office, agreed to contest 101 seats, the same number as its ally BJP.

The three key candidates in JD(U)’s first list includes “Bahubali chhote sarkar” Anant Singh from Mokama, JD(U)’s Umesh Khushwaha from Mahanar and Ratnesh Sada from Sonbarsa.

Anant Singh

According to his election affidavit, Singh declared movable and immovable assets worth Rs 37.88 crore. Singh is also facing 28 criminal cases. As per the affidavit, Sigh's movable assets also include three luxury SUV cars worth Rs 3.23 crore, and his wife also owns three luxury cars worth Rs 77.62 lakh.

The politician represented Mokama five times, in 1990, 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015. He won twice on a JD(U) ticket, once as an independent, and saw his wife, Neelam Devi, secure victory from the same seat in 2020.

In 2022, Singh handed over the seat to his wife after being disqualified due to a UAPA conviction. He was recently acquitted by the Patna High Court.

Umesh Kushwaha

Kushwaha contested the 2020 assembly elections on a JD(U) ticket from Mahnar assembly constituency but lost to the RJD candidate.

He had won the 2015 state polls from the same Mahnar seat defeating his BJP rival then. He was appointed the state chief of JD(U) in 2021. The move reportedly signalled the ruling party going back to its original support base of "Luv-Kush" (OBC Kurmi and Kushwaha castes combination). Kushwaha succeeded septuagenarian Bashishtha Narayan Singh.

Ratnesh Sada

According to reports, Ratnesh Sada had a humble beginning. His father Lakshmi was a contract labourer.At one point, Sada was reportedly also a rickshaw puller. Sada’s political career in 1987. He became an MLA from the Sonbarsa reserved seat from the JD(U) quota in 2010. He has won thrice in a row.  He has also held key positions in the party, including the post of vice president.. MLA Sada is the president of JDU Mahadalit Cell. Sada won the 2020 assembly election from the Sonbarsa reserve seat, defeating Tarni Rishidev of the Congress.

Sada is a Dalit leader and belongs to the Musahar community like former Bihar chief minister and HAM chief Jitan Ram Manjhi.