The importance of the government moving on the law and order front — and being seen to do so — cannot be underestimated in Bihar. This is a state in which strongmen with political clout have carved out independent fiefs. Anant Singh was apparently the ‘chhote sarkar’ of Mokama, his writ ran supreme barely 100 km from the seat of government in Patna. His story is typical in yet another way. Singh was patronised by the RJD before shifting over to the JD(U) and getting elected to the assembly on the party’s ticket in 2005. All parties have been complicit in the phenomenon of the baahubali in Bihar.

But two years into his tenure, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar cannot depend upon some signals or a few good decisions alone. Admittedly, the symbolism of Anant Singh’s arrest — like the jailing of another bahubali MLA of the JD(U), Sunil Pandey earlier — is powerful. But more needs to be done beyond taking some handpicked cases to their lawful conclusion. Even in the present case, Nitish Kumar must account for why no disciplinary action has been taken against Anant Singh by the JD(U), why he still remains a member of the ruling party.