Anant Singh Opposes JDU’s Neeraj Kumar in Patna Graduate MLC Contest

Bihar politics has seen a fresh dispute within the Janata Dal (United) ahead of the 2026 Legislative Council elections, with Mokama MLA Anant Kumar Singh openly opposing his party colleague Neeraj Kumar in the Patna Graduate constituency.

Anant Singh has announced his support for Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Kumar Singh, who is contesting against JDU nominee Neeraj Kumar. The development has brought an internal disagreement within the ruling party into the public domain and has drawn attention to the contest for the Patna Graduate seat.

Anant Singh Backs Rival Candidate

Anant Singh has publicly said that he will not support Neeraj Kumar and will instead campaign for Anuj Kumar Singh.

Reports said Anant Singh plans to support Anuj Singh during the election campaign across the Patna Graduate constituency. He also indicated that his opposition was specifically directed at Neeraj Kumar rather than being a general rejection of the JDU.

Jan Suraaj subsequently announced Anuj Kumar Singh as its candidate from the Patna Graduate constituency, making Anant Singh's support particularly significant in the developing contest.

Dispute Between Anant Singh and Neeraj Kumar

The disagreement between the two JDU leaders has been developing for several weeks.

Neeraj Kumar, a sitting JDU MLC and senior party spokesperson, is seeking another term from the Patna Graduate constituency. Anant Singh had earlier publicly opposed his candidature and said he would work for his defeat.

The dispute has involved allegations and counter-allegations between the two leaders. Neeraj Kumar has challenged Anant Singh to approach the court if he has evidence supporting his allegations, while the disagreement has continued to play out publicly.

JDU Leadership Takes Note

The dispute has also reached the attention of senior JDU leaders.

Bihar Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar said the matter was known to senior party leaders and indicated that efforts would be made to resolve it at an appropriate time. The party has continued to maintain that it is working to secure its candidates in the Legislative Council elections.

The developments have therefore created a situation in which a JDU MLA is publicly supporting a candidate from another political organisation against the JDU's own nominee.

Patna Graduate Seat Becomes a Closely Watched Contest

The Patna Graduate constituency is among the Legislative Council seats going to polls in Bihar in 2026.

The contest has attracted additional attention because of the involvement of Jan Suraaj and the open disagreement between Anant Singh and Neeraj Kumar. Anant Singh's decision to support Anuj Kumar Singh has added another dimension to the electoral contest.

The dispute is also being watched for its implications for JDU's organisational coordination in the constituency.

Anant Singh’s Political Position

Anant Singh is the JDU MLA from Mokama. His public opposition to Neeraj Kumar has created an unusual situation within the party because he is supporting a candidate outside the JDU against the party's official nominee.

At the same time, JDU leaders have sought to frame the issue as an internal matter and have indicated that senior leadership is aware of the disagreement.

Neeraj Kumar Seeks Another Term

Neeraj Kumar is seeking another term as JDU's candidate from the Patna Graduate constituency.

The JDU has continued its organisational preparations for the election, while Neeraj Kumar has responded publicly to Anant Singh's allegations. The two leaders have exchanged accusations over the reasons behind their disagreement.

What the Dispute Means for Bihar Politics

The Anant Singh-Neeraj Kumar dispute has become one of the notable internal political developments ahead of the Bihar Legislative Council elections.

The immediate issue is the Patna Graduate constituency, but the episode has also drawn attention to coordination within the JDU and the relationship between individual leaders and the party's electoral strategy.

Whether the disagreement remains limited to the constituency or leads to further organisational action will depend on the response of the JDU leadership in the coming days.

Expert View

The Patna Graduate contest has become significant because of the unusual situation of a sitting JDU MLA publicly backing a rival candidate against the party's nominee. The dispute is primarily centred on the Anant Singh-Neeraj Kumar disagreement, while JDU's senior leadership is attempting to manage the matter ahead of the Legislative Council elections.

Current Status

As of September 30, 2026, Anant Singh is publicly supporting Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Kumar Singh against JDU nominee Neeraj Kumar in the Patna Graduate MLC election. The dispute has reached senior JDU leadership, while the party continues its preparations for the Legislative Council elections.