NEW DELHI: A former legislator convicted of a crime orchestrated a grand roadshow in support of a candidate backed by Nitish Kumar‘s party in Bihar, just hours after being released on a 15-day parole.
Anant Kumar Singh
, popularly known as ‘Chhote Sarkar’, a five-time MLA from Mokama, was released from Patna’s Beur Central Jail this morning.
Elaborate preparations greeted him, with the accompaniment of dhols, a cascade of petals, and a sprawling convoy of cars.
His roadshow started from Sabneema village in the Barh assembly constituency, where he rallied support for the
JDU candidate
, Lalan Singh, contesting from Munger. Notably, both Mokama and Barh assembly segments lie within the
Munger
Lok Sabha constituency.
Stepping out of his car, Anant Singh was met with an extravagant reception. Cheers and chants filled the air, not just for him but also for Lalan Singh, as a large crowd, having waited for hours, enthusiastically greeted the imprisoned leader along the route.
Anant Singh, who secured victory in the 2020 assembly election on an RJD ticket, was convicted in the case on June 14. Police confiscated an AK-47 rifle, two hand grenades, 26 cartridges, and a magazine during an 11-hour-long operation at the MLA’s residence in Nandwan village, within the Barh Police Station area, on August 16, 2019.
After the confiscation of the arms and ammunition, Singh went into hiding. Subsequently, he released a video asserting that political elements were “conspiring” against him in the case. He declared his intention to surrender directly at the court instead of turning himself in to the police.
In August 2019, the MLA surrendered before the Saket court in New Delhi. Known for consistently winning the Mokama assembly seat since 2005, Singh had previously been closely associated with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.
