Anand Singh (Uttar Pradesh politician)

Maharaj Anand Singh (born 4 January 1939) is an Indian politician who was elected as a Member of Parliament to 5th, 7th, 8th and 9th Lok Sabha from the Gonda constituency. He was also a Member of Legislative Assembly and Agriculture Minister for the Government of Uttar Pradesh led by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in his ministry from 2012 to 2017.

He is currently the president of The British India Association Awadh and the President of the Raghvendra Rural Development and Research Organisation (RRDRO).

He rose to prominence during the 1971 Lok Sabha elections when he contested and won the Gonda parliamentary seat, defeating his uncle, Devendra Pratap Singh alias Lallan Saheb. This electoral battle marked a significant turning point in his political career, establishing him as a formidable force within the Congress party.

Born into the royal family of Mankapur state, Raja Anand Singh's political journey began with his victory in the 1971 elections, where he represented the Congress Syndicate faction against his uncle, who was backed by the Congress Indicate (I). This electoral contest, characterized by intense rivalry between family members, showcased Raja Anand Singh's strategic acumen and popularity among voters.

Anand Singh is the current Maharaja of Mankapur and the head of the royal family. He is married to Veena Singh, the daughter of ex. Rajya Sabha MP Bindumati Devi. Anand Singh is the father of the current Member of Parliament and Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh, and three other daughters, Niharika Singh, Radhika Singh and Shivani Roy.

Raja Anand Singh's tenure as Member of Parliament from Gonda was distinguished by his outspoken demeanor and unwavering commitment to his constituents. He was known for his influence not only in Gonda but also across the broader Devipatan Mandal region, consolidating his position as a key political figure.

There were many social activities taken on by Anand Singh such as Welfare programmes for the downtrodden as well as management of schools and other educational institutions in Uttar Pradesh.

He gained attention for his controversial decision to restrict inquiries into complaints against officials within his department without his prior approval. This decision came in the wake of a significant scam involving approximately Rs 59 crore, which was uncovered through a departmental inquiry. Despite facing criticism and discontent from within his own ranks, including from his deputy, Manoj Pandey, Singh defended his actions by asserting the need to verify the authenticity of complaints before initiating inquiries, which eventually turned out to be honest and beneficial decision, stoping any biased suspensions or terminations of officials in his department unlawfully.

In 2021, he made the headlines yet again before the UP Vidhan Sabha elections, for writing a strong worded letter to JP Nadda regarding the ticket of Gaura MLA Patel Prabhat Verma, stating the BJP should reconsider giving the ticket to this MLA, as Singh himself being a retired MLA from Gaura, hears tales of the woes of the people under the rule of Prabhat Verma everyday and can not stand them. He threatened to put a end to his political exile and contest from the Gaura seat again, should BJP give the ticket to Verma. But the matter was resolved in a few weeks time.

Raja Anand Singh's contributions to Indian politics, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, are remembered for his principled approach and enduring impact on regional political dynamics. His electoral triumphs and influential presence continue to be commemorated in the political history of the Gonda region. However he is still a very influential and powerful leader in the area and a household name in Purvanchal.