The Bhumihar community, comprising 2.8-3% of the population, is decisive in the politics of Bihar. Five prominent leaders like Lalan Singh, Giriraj Singh and Anant Singh have a strong hold in their parties and have the ability to influence the electoral equations.
Caste equations have always played a decisive role in the politics of Bihar. Especially the Bhumihar community, whose number is about 2.8 to 3 percent of the total population of Bihar, has always shown its strength in the equations of power. From the freedom movement to the current political scenario, Bhumihar leaders have made significant contributions to political decisions and coalition building. In the Lalu-Nitish era, even when leaders of other castes gained dominance, Bhumihar leaders maintained their hold. In this feature, we look at those five prominent Bhumihar leaders, who are still influential in the politics of Bihar and have the ability to change the equations of power.
Lalan Singh – Nitish’s trusted strategist
Rajiv Ranjan Singh, popularly known as Lalan Singh, is one of the prominent leaders of Janata Dal (United). He has worked as a close strategist of Nitish Kumar for years. Lalan Singh’s role has been important in strengthening the organizational structure of JDU. His political understanding and hold on the Bhumihar vote bank helps the party to balance the electoral field.
Political experts believe that Lalan Singh’s role in JDU is not limited to strategy only, but he is also effective in power decisions and candidate selection. His decisions directly impact the vote bank of the Bhumihar community.
Surajbhan Singh – Active political face from Mokama
Surajbhan Singh was born on 5 March 1965 in Mokama in Patna district. He comes from the Bhumihar caste, which has always been important in Bihar politics. Despite the small numbers of Bhumihar community in the politics of Bihar, their influence is widespread.
Surajbhan Singh has strengthened his hold on seats like Mokama through local muscle power and family network. In the last few election battles, he has been inclined towards BJP, but he has always been able to change the strategy as per the local issues and voter base.
Giriraj Singh – Firebrand leader and Union Minister
Giriraj Singh has been a minister in the central government and is counted among the staunch pro-Hindutva leaders of BJP. His name is always in the news for his outspoken statements and politics based on nationalism. Giriraj Singh, who was MP from Nawada and Begusarai, is considered a strong representative of the Bhumihar community.
Experts say that Giriraj Singh’s role is not limited to the party level only, but his political influence is visible even in the assembly elections. His contribution to BJP’s core vote bank politics is considered important.
Anant Singh – Baahubali turned popular leader
Anant Singh, also known as ‘Chhote Sarkar’, has been the MLA from Mokama. Despite his Bahubali image, he has made a strong hold among the public. Despite several criminal cases, his popularity level remains intact.
His supporters especially include a large section of the Bhumihar community. People look at him like ‘Robin Hood’, who stands for the weaker sections of the society. Anant Singh’s political journey is a proof of how the combination of muscle power and politics can become a political force in Bihar.
Akhilesh Singh – Powerful leader behind the scenes
Akhilesh Singh has been associated with Bihar Congress and has special interest in organizational work. His work often remains behind the scenes, but his deep penetration is visible among the urban and educated class.
Akhilesh Singh’s political influence is especially visible in strategy formulation and candidate selection. His contribution as a strong pillar of the organization is important for the Congress and other alliances.
Bhumihar community and political picture of Bihar
Bhumihar leaders are considered influential in the politics of Bihar not only on the basis of numbers but because of their organization and strategy. This community has always played an important role in the power equation. Even in the era of Lalu-Nitish, Bhumihar leaders did not lose their hold, and even today these five leaders can be decisive in any alliance or election strategy.
Political analysts believe that the role of Bhumihar leaders will be decisive in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Be it candidate selection or alliance strategy, the impact of the advice and decisions of these leaders will directly reach the voters. Therefore, the strength of Bhumihar leaders has always been important in the power equation of Bihar.