JD(U) MLA backs rival candidate in Bihar council nomination episode

JD(U) MLA Anant Kumar Singh publicly backed a Jan Suraaj Party candidate during the filing of nomination papers for a Bihar legislative council election on Thursday, creating tension within his party. Singh accompanied Anuj Singh to submit his nomination in Patna and led a procession in support of the Jan Suraaj nominee. He has also stated that he wants to defeat Neeraj Kumar, a JD(U) MLC seeking re-election from the Patna Graduates constituency.

Speaking to reporters, Anant Kumar Singh said he did not know what the party line was in the matter. He said Neeraj Kumar had opposed him on several occasions and that he intended to respond politically. The two leaders have been at odds since the 2015 Assembly election, which Anant Kumar Singh contested as an Independent after breaking with the party.

The JD(U) fielded Neeraj Kumar from the Assembly seat, but Singh retained it by a comfortable margin. Supporters accompanying the MLA chanted slogans praising JD(U) president Nitish Kumar and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh. JD(U) office-bearers did not comment directly on the episode.

Former JD(U) national general secretary Shyam Rajak said the party remained fully aligned with the National Democratic Alliance. He said Anant Kumar Singh should answer for his own actions, while the party was committed to winning all eight seats contested by the coalition. The JD(U) is contesting four of the council seats and the BJP the other four.

Rajak said the party president had been informed and that appropriate action could be taken. The elections are scheduled for October 23.