JD(U) MLA Anant Singh backs rival in Bihar MLC polls, defies party

JD(U) MLA Anant Kumar Singh on Thursday, 1 October, accompanied Jan Suraaj Party candidate Anuj Singh as he filed his nomination papers for the Bihar legislative council elections, openly defying his party's official candidate Neeraj Kumar for the Patna Graduates constituency. Singh led a procession in support of the rival candidate, saying he did not know 'what the party line is' and that his battle with Neeraj Kumar was personal, accusing him of being part of a conspiracy involving former JD(U) president RCP Singh and his daughter Lipi Singh.

Singh has been sore with Neeraj Kumar since the 2015 assembly polls, which he contested as an Independent after severing links with the party, while the JD(U) had fielded Neeraj Kumar. Singh said, 'I must pay him back in the same coin.' JD(U) senior leader Shyam Rajak said the party president had been apprised and 'appropriate action may be taken at the appropriate time.' The legislative council polls are scheduled for 23 October, with the JD(U) contesting four seats and the BJP the remaining four under the NDA coalition.

Update, 1 October 2026: On Thursday, 1 October, Singh accompanied Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh to file nomination papers, with Deccan Herald and The Hindu reporting the nomination filing and a procession. India TV and Rediff had earlier reported Singh's press conference on 28 September. The party response remains unchanged.