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Bihar JD(U) Feud Intensifies Ahead of MLC Polls
Two leaders from the same political party in Bihar are fighting each other before an election.
Anant Kumar Singh says he wants to stop Neeraj Kumar from winning another term.
He is supporting an Independent candidate instead.
Neeraj Kumar says Singh’s accusations are false and says he has remained loyal to Nitish Kumar.
The two men are both from Mokama and have argued for many years.
Their conflict includes a past election defeat, public attacks and a weapons case.
Singh was convicted in that case but was later acquitted by the Patna High Court.
Voters in the Patna Graduates constituency will decide who wins the council seat.
JD(U) MLA Anant Kumar Singh says he will work to defeat party spokesperson Neeraj Kumar in the Patna Graduates constituency.
Singh has pledged support for Independent candidate Anuj Singh in the upcoming Bihar Legislative Council election.
Neeraj Kumar is seeking a fourth consecutive term as an MLC, with more than 88,000 registered graduate voters in the constituency.
The leaders’ rivalry dates to 2015 and includes electoral clashes, public criticism and disputes over criminal cases.
Elections for eight MLC seats are expected in late October or early November, before sitting members’ terms expire on November 16.
- Who
- JD(U) MLA Anant Kumar Singh and JD(U) spokesperson and MLC Neeraj Kumar.
- What
- Singh has vowed to defeat Neeraj Kumar and is backing Independent candidate Anuj Singh in the MLC election.
- Where
- The contest involves the Patna Graduates constituency in Bihar, with both leaders linked to Mokama.
- When
- The elections are expected in late October or early November; the sitting members’ terms expire on November 16.
- Why
- The announcement has revived a long-running personal and political rivalry between the two JD(U) leaders.
Anant Kumar Singh’s Claims
Neeraj Kumar’s Response
Alleged political interference
Anant Kumar Singh’s Claims
Singh alleges that Neeraj Kumar has opposed him throughout his political career and helped frame him in the 2019 AK-47 case.
Neeraj Kumar’s Response
Neeraj Kumar rejects the allegations and says he has been a loyal supporter of Nitish Kumar and the party.
Narco-analysis demand
Anant Kumar Singh’s Claims
Singh challenged Neeraj Kumar to undergo a narco-analysis test over the weapons-case allegations.
Neeraj Kumar’s Response
Neeraj Kumar says such a test could be ordered only by a court based on a valid complaint.
Political approach
Anant Kumar Singh’s Claims
Singh is using his influence against Neeraj Kumar and supporting Independent candidate Anuj Singh.
Neeraj Kumar’s Response
Neeraj Kumar says the election will be decided by the constituency’s registered graduate voters and has opposed campaigning with politicians who have criminal backgrounds.
Key facts
- Election scope
- Eight Bihar Legislative Council seats are due for election: four Graduate and four Teachers’ constituencies.
- Neeraj Kumar’s candidacy
- He is seeking a fourth consecutive term from the Patna Graduates constituency.
- Registered voters
- More than 88,000 graduate voters are registered in the constituency.
- Expected schedule
- Polling is scheduled for late October or early November, with notification expected in late September or early October.
- Term expiry
- The six-year terms of the sitting members, including Neeraj Kumar, expire on November 16.
- 2015 contest
- Singh defeated Neeraj Kumar by 18,348 votes after contesting as an Independent while in jail.
- Weapons case
- Singh was convicted in 2022 after weapons were recovered from his ancestral house, then acquitted by the Patna High Court in August 2024.
Quotes
Anant Kumar Singh
JD(U) MLA from Mokama and rival of Neeraj Kumar
“I will ensure Neeraj does not win back his MLC seat. He has never supported me in my entire political career and, in fact, got me framed in an AK-47 (possession) case in 2019. He has opposed me in four elections.”
indianexpress.com
“I have been a loyal soldier of (party chief and ex-Bihar CM) Nitish Kumar ever since I entered politics over 35 years ago. I have never deserted the party like others.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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