A fresh dispute has surfaced within the Janata Dal (United) ahead of the Bihar Legislative Council elections after Mokama MLA Anant Kumar Singh announced his support for Anuj Kumar Singh, the Jan Suraaj-backed candidate in the Patna Graduates’ constituency.
Anant Singh said he would campaign for Anuj and work across Assembly constituencies to support his candidature. Jan Suraaj has officially fielded Anuj Singh from the Patna Graduates’ seat, where JD(U) has nominated sitting MLC Neeraj Kumar.
Speaking to reporters in Patna, Anant Singh said he would accompany Anuj during the nomination process and personally campaign for him.
“I will go to every Assembly constituency for Anuj Singh. We will win. I have never lost till date. The people are our masters,” Singh said.
The Mokama MLA also maintained that his opposition was directed at Neeraj Kumar personally and should not be seen as a revolt against the JD(U). He rejected reports suggesting that the party itself was facing an internal split.
“The party is united and together. There is no problem in the JD(U). The problem is between the two of us,” Singh said.
Anant Singh-Neeraj Kumar Dispute
Anant Singh and Neeraj Kumar have had political differences for several years. Singh said Neeraj had opposed him on multiple occasions and questioned what action the party had taken over their disagreements.
He also alleged that Neeraj had opposed him four times in the past. The two leaders have previously exchanged allegations over political contests in the Mokama area.
The dispute became more prominent after Anant Singh publicly declared that he would not support Neeraj Kumar in the Patna Graduates’ MLC election. Reports earlier this month said Singh had decided to back Anuj Singh instead.
Jan Suraaj Fields Anuj Singh
Prashant Kishor-led Jan Suraaj subsequently included Anuj Singh in its final list of candidates for the Bihar Legislative Council elections. The party announced Anuj for the Patna Graduates’ constituency along with candidates for two other seats, completing its candidates for the eight constituencies going to polls.
The development has placed Anuj Singh in direct competition with JD(U)’s Neeraj Kumar in the Patna Graduates’ constituency.
Neeraj Kumar has represented the Patna Graduates’ constituency in the Bihar Legislative Council since 2008 and is seeking another term. He is among four candidates announced by the JD(U) for the upcoming council elections.
The party has also nominated Abhishek Jha from Tirhut Graduates, Anand Pushkar from Saran Teachers and Ghanshyam Rai from Darbhanga Teachers.
Anant Says His Stand Is Personal
Despite openly campaigning against the JD(U)’s candidate, Anant Singh insisted that his position should not be interpreted as a dispute with the entire party.
His comments underline the personal nature of his disagreement with Neeraj Kumar, while his decision to support a Jan Suraaj candidate has added another dimension to the Patna Graduates’ contest.
The election battle is therefore set to involve not only the contest between candidates but also the political equations surrounding Anant Singh, Neeraj Kumar and Jan Suraaj in the constituency.
