Elections in Bihar are incomplete without talks of 'Bahubalis' (musclemen), who once used to rule the electoral roost in the state. Not anymore though. Especially since the Supreme Court disqualified candidates convicted for over two years from contesting the polls.

However, while many of the Bahubalis themselves are not in the fray, they have chosen a less direct route to power. They hope to field their wives in the polls and are not leaving any stone unturned to secure a ticket for them from the mainstream political parties. What makes the scene more interesting is that political outfits also seem to be willing to hand out tickets to Bahubali-wives, considering them “winnable” candidates.

“Primarily, wives of dons are seen as nominees who can win the polls, especially with the backing of their money and muscle power that can extensively help in campaigning. No party can claim that all their candidates are of clean image,” said a veteran politician here.

Foremost among them all is Hena Shahab, wife of former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin, who is currently in jail in a murder case. Shahab, who had unsuccessfully contested from Siwan in the 2014 Lok Sabha poll, is likely to be fielded again from the same seat if it falls in the RJD's kitty in the Mahagathbandhan seat-sharing deal.

Interestingly, another strongman wife Kavita Singh may also be in the fray from Siwan on a JD(U) ticket after the sitting BJP seat went into JD(U)'s share. Kavita, a sitting JD(U) MLA, is the wife of Bahubali Ajay Singh, considered to be close to CM Nitish Kumar. In 2011, barely days after her wedding with Ajay, Kavita had filed nomination for Daraundha assembly seat, which witnessed a by-election due to her mother-in-law's death.

Another criminal-turned-politician, who is looking for a ticket for his wife, is Mokama MLA Anant Singh. A Congress source said he had made huge efforts for Congress president Rahul Gandhi's Patna rally in February in the hope of getting a ticket for his wife Neelam Devi from Munger seat. Devi's Facebook page has a cover photo saying, “Anant ka bharosa, Neelam ka saath, Munger ki kismat, apke haath.”

Munger is the sitting seat of LJP's Veena Devi, wife of another Bahubali Surajbhan Singh. However, with Munger now a JD(U) seat in the NDA, Devi is looking to contest from Nawada constituency.

Former MP Lovely Anand, wife of don-turned-politico Anand Mohan, recently joined the Congress and is likely to seek a ticket from the Sheohar seat. Mohan is currently serving a life sentence in a murder case and had earlier represented Sheohar Lok Sabha seat on two occasions. She will likely be up against sitting BJP MP Rama Devi, the widow of Brij Bihari Prasad (also a known gangster of his times).

Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan, the wife of another Bahubali-turned-politician Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, is also a ticket hopeful from her sitting seat Supaul, while Yadav, who had floated a separate party, is also vying for a Congress ticket from his sitting Madheura seat.

A source said some of the strongmen who aren't in jail, are also seeking tickets for themselves, including LJP MP Rama Singh, who wants a re-run in sitting Vaishali seat.

MUSCLING THEIR WAY TO POWER

Ex-MP Lovely Anand, w/o Anand Mohan is eyeing Congress ticket 

WIVES & DONS

• Hena Shahab w/o Mohammad Shahabuddin  
• Kavita Singh w/o Ajay Singh  
• Neelam Devi w/o Anant Singh   
• Veena Devi w/o Surajbhan Singh  
• Lovely Anand w/o Anand Mohan  
• Rama Devi w/o Brij Bihari Prasad   
• Ranjeet Ranjan w/o Pappu Yadav