Bihar MLC election: JDU’s Neeraj Kumar leads in Patna as opposition alleges irregularities

New Delhi: Counting of votes for eight Bihar Legislative Council seats began at 8 am on Tuesday, October 27, amid allegations of irregularities by opposition parties. JDU candidate Neeraj Kumar is leading in the Patna Graduates’ constituency with initial trends putting him around 1,200 votes ahead of Jan Suraaj Party candidate Anuj Singh.

The elections were held on October 23 for four graduates’ and four teachers’ constituencies. A total of 150 candidates are contesting the eight seats. The BJP and JDU have fielded candidates in four seats each while the Jan Suraaj Party is contesting all eight constituencies.

Counting is taking place at centres in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Purnea and Saran. Since the votes were cast using ballot papers, officials said trends were not immediately available across all constituencies.

Opposition alleges irregularities at Patna counting centre

Tensions were reported outside the Bankipur Government Girls’ Senior Secondary School in Patna where counting is underway. Congress candidate Sanjay Yadav and RJD nominee Sanjeev Kumar Singh alleged irregularities in the process.

Yadav claimed that CCTV cameras were installed outside the counting hall but not inside it. Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh also raised concerns over the absence of cameras, sanitation and arrangements for counting agents. He said he would email the Election Commission with his complaints.

A commotion broke out after two government employees were reportedly seen carrying bags containing papers out of the counting centre. Party workers demanded to inspect the bags and the employees were later made to open them.

Patna District Magistrate Kundan Kumar rejected the allegation about CCTV cameras, saying, “Videography is being done in MLC elections instead of installing CCTV cameras.”

He added that the administration was following Election Commission of India guidelines and would address complaints about sanitation and hygiene.

Neeraj Kumar faces challenge amid JDU infighting

The Patna Graduates’ seat has drawn attention because JDU MLA Anant Singh backed Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh against his own party’s nominee, Neeraj Kumar. The JDU expelled Anant Singh over his opposition to the party candidate.

Despite the internal dispute, JDU national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad expressed confidence that the NDA would win all eight seats, citing support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The results are expected to emerge after the counting process concludes with
officials indicating that some outcomes could be available by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.