JD(U) expels Mokama MLA Anant Singh and wife Neelam Devi for 6 years; seeks MLA’s disqualification

New Delhi: The Janata Dal (United) on Saturday expelled Mokama MLA Anant Kumar Singh and his wife, former MLA Neelam Devi, from the party for six years, cancelling their primary membership with immediate effect. The decision followed Singh’s campaign against JD(U) candidate Neeraj Kumar in the Patna Graduates constituency election.

Singh backed Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh in the Bihar Legislative Council polls despite the party’s decision to support Neeraj Kumar. The JD(U) has also decided to recommend Singh’s disqualification as an MLA to Bihar Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar.

In an order issued by Bihar JD(U) president Umesh Singh Kushwaha, the party accused Singh of repeatedly ignoring its directions and using insulting language against senior leaders.

The order said Singh continued campaigning against Neeraj Kumar despite messages from party president Nitish Kumar and working national president Sanjay Kumar Jha. Union minister Lalan Singh also met Nitish Kumar shortly before the expulsions were announced.

Anant Singh had challenged party leadership

The dispute intensified during campaigning for the Patna Graduates seat where Neeraj Kumar is seeking a fourth consecutive term. Singh was unhappy with the party’s decision to back Neeraj and accused him of working against him during the previous year’s Assembly elections.

“Neeraj has always fought elections in Nitish Kumar’s name. He has got no credibility of his own. What contribution has he made to the party? The party is putting its weight behind him but was silent when he opposed me in previous elections. I am ready to face any action by the party,” Singh said.

After Nitish Kumar met Neeraj Kumar on Thursday, Singh remarked that the JD(U) chief “goes wherever they take him”. He also accused Neeraj of “nautanki” or theatrics, after the latter was hospitalised three days before polling.

Rivalry between Singh and Neeraj dates back to 2015

The two leaders have been at odds since the 2015 Mokama Assembly election, when Singh contested as an Independent and defeated Neeraj, who was then the JD(U) candidate. Attempts by party leaders to settle their differences before the Council elections did not succeed.

The rivalry also spilled over into polling on Friday, when supporters of Anuj Singh and Neeraj Kumar clashed in Mokama. Police detained several people including a close aide of Anant Singh, Chhotu Singh who was also detained in Patna over concerns about a possible breach of peace.

Anant Singh maintained that the action against his supporters would not affect Anuj Singh’s chances. Neeraj Kumar, meanwhile, expressed confidence in his victory as the NDA candidate. The Patna Graduates constituency recorded a provisional voter turnout of 36.19 per cent, according to the Chief Electoral Officer’s office.