Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Anant Singh Defies JD(U) as Bihar NDA Seeks Unity
Bihar is preparing to elect members to eight seats on its Legislative Council.
Anant Singh, a lawmaker from the JD(U), says he will support Anuj Singh, who is running for another party.
That puts him at odds with his own party’s candidate, Neeraj Kumar.
The disagreement is about the Patna Graduates seat.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary brought NDA leaders together for a meeting.
Leaders said the alliance should stay united and warned that action could be taken against people campaigning against its candidates.
Anant Singh said his position had not changed.
Voting is planned for October 23, and the votes will be counted four days later.
JD(U) MLA Anant Singh said he would continue supporting Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh against JD(U) nominee Neeraj Kumar.
The dispute concerns the Patna Graduates constituency, where Neeraj Kumar is seeking a fourth consecutive term.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary hosted an NDA legislative party meeting in Patna on October 9; the articles differ on whether elections were a focus of the meeting.
NDA leaders stressed alliance unity and warned that people campaigning against coalition candidates could face action.
Polling for eight Bihar Legislative Council seats is scheduled for October 23, with counting four days later.
- Who
- JD(U) MLA Anant Singh, Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh, JD(U) nominee Neeraj Kumar, and NDA leaders.
- What
- Anant Singh reiterated that he would support Anuj Singh against his own party’s candidate in the Patna Graduates Legislative Council contest.
- When
- The NDA meeting took place on October 9; polling is scheduled for October 23, with counting four days later.
- Where
- Patna, Bihar, including the Patna Graduates constituency.
- Why
- Anant Singh says Neeraj Kumar worked against him in the assembly polls held a year earlier.
Anant Singh’s position
NDA and JD(U) position
Support in Patna Graduates
Anant Singh’s position
Anant Singh says he will continue supporting Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh against JD(U)’s Neeraj Kumar.
NDA and JD(U) position
NDA and JD(U) leaders say the coalition will contest the council elections as a team and warn that action may be taken against those campaigning against alliance candidates.
Purpose of the meeting
Anant Singh’s position
Anant Singh said the meeting was not about the elections and that his view on supporting Anuj Singh remained unchanged.
NDA and JD(U) position
NDA leaders described discussion of alliance unity and election coordination; JD(U) minister Jama Khan said council election issues were discussed.
- Council seats contested
- Eight
- Patna Graduates JD(U) nominee
- Neeraj Kumar, seeking a fourth consecutive term
- Candidate backed by Anant Singh
- Anuj Singh of the Jan Suraaj Party
- Polling date
- October 23
- Vote counting
- Four days after polling
- Nominations
- 164 filed; 12 were rejected during scrutiny and two candidates withdrew
- Candidates remaining
- Darbhanga Graduates had the most, with 40; Tirhut Teachers had the fewest, with 11
