Patna MLC polls: JDU strongman backs Prashant Kishor's man, matter reaches Nitish
The political rivalry between JDU leaders Anant Singh and Neeraj Kumar has now reached the top level of the party, with the matter now reaching JDU National President Nitish Kumar's office.
The immediate dispute is over the Patna Graduate MLC seat, where sitting JDU MLC Neeraj Kumar is seeking another term. The situation became more complicated after Mokama MLA and JDU strongman Anant Singh openly backed Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Kumar Singh against the JDU nominee.
The matter has now reached the Nitish Kumar's 'Durbaar' and the final decision on how to handle the issue is expected to be taken at the top level of the party.
The rivalry between Anant Singh and Neeraj Kumar is not new. The two leaders have been taking on each other publicly for several years as both hail from same Barh-Mokama area in rural Patna.
The dispute became sharper after the 2019 recovery of an AK-47 rifle and hand grenades from Anant Singh's ancestral house in Ladma. Singh had alleged that he was targeted as part of a political conspiracy and had accused Neeraj Kumar of being involved.
Neeraj Kumar has however, rejected the allegations.
Singh has recently repeated his allegations and demanded a narco-analysis test for Neeraj Kumar. Kumar has strongly rejected the claims and criticised Singh.
The legal history of the 2019 case is also important. The Patna High Court acquitted Anant Singh in the AK-47 case in August 2024 after setting aside his conviction.
The latest dispute is now playing out in the Patna Graduate MLC election.
The Election Commission has scheduled polling for the Bihar Legislative Council Graduate and Teacher constituencies on October 23, with counting on October 27.
JDU has fielded Neeraj Kumar from the Patna Graduate constituency, while Prashant Kishore's Jan Suraaj has fielded Dr Anuj Kumar Singh.
Anant Singh has decided to campaign and support Anuj Kumar Singh as MLC elections under Graduates and Teachers constituencies are not contested on party lines.
Singh has also pointed to the voting system in Graduate and Teacher constituency elections while explaining his position. These elections are held through preferential voting, where voters mark their preferences for candidates.
Unlike Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, these are not conventional EVM contests fought on the basis of party symbols.
However, the voting system and the issue of party discipline are two separate matters. Any action against a JDU leader for campaigning against the party candidate would be a decision for the party leadership.
The dispute has now moved beyond the two leaders. The matter has reached Nitish Kumar, confirmed Shravan Kumar, Bihar Minister and Nitish's close aide. Shravan Kumar claimed the JDU leadership is expected to decide what action, if any, should be taken against Anant Singh.
For Neeraj Kumar, the election is now more than a contest against Jan Suraaj. He is also facing an open political challenge from a sitting strongman and JDU MLA.
For Anant Singh, the election has become another battleground in his long-running political rivalry with Neeraj Kumar.
For Jan Suraaj, the contest has brought additional attention to its candidate in the Patna Graduate constituency.
The Anant Singh vs Neeraj Kumar dispute has therefore become an important part of the Patna Graduate MLC election campaign.
The October 23 election will decide the electoral contest. But before that, the focus is now on Nitish Kumar and the JDU leadership's response to Anant Singh's open support for the opposition candidate.- Ends
