JD(U) Expels Anant Singh and Neelam Devi for Six Years After MLC Election Dispute

JD(U) Takes Disciplinary Action Against Anant Singh

The Janata Dal (United) expelled Mokama MLA Anant Kumar Singh and his wife, former MLA Neelam Devi, from the party for six years on October 24, 2026, citing alleged indiscipline and anti-party activities during the Bihar Legislative Council elections.

The decision followed a dispute involving Anant Singh and Neeraj Kumar, the JD(U)’s official candidate in the Patna Graduates’ constituency. Singh publicly backed Jan Suraaj Party candidate Anuj Singh instead of supporting his own party’s nominee.

According to reports by The Indian Express and India Today, the party said Singh had repeatedly disregarded its instructions and made remarks against senior leaders. The expulsion order was issued by JD(U) state president Umesh Singh Kushwaha.

Support for Jan Suraaj Candidate Sparks Conflict

Anant Singh openly campaigned for Anuj Singh during the MLC election campaign. His decision intensified a longstanding rivalry with Neeraj Kumar, who was seeking another term in the Legislative Council.

Singh argued that Neeraj Kumar had worked against him in previous elections. Despite attempts by senior JD(U) leaders to resolve their differences, Singh continued to support the Jan Suraaj candidate.

The dispute created a challenge for the JD(U), which was seeking to maintain support for its official candidate while managing disagreements within its own ranks.

Party Seeks Assembly Membership Review

Alongside the expulsion, the JD(U) reportedly requested that Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar examine Anant Singh’s eligibility to continue as an MLA under the anti-defection provisions of the Constitution’s Tenth Schedule.

Any decision on disqualification would be a separate matter from the party’s decision to terminate his membership. The legal and constitutional process would determine whether further action was warranted.

Longstanding Rivalry Between Anant Singh and Neeraj Kumar

The disagreement between Singh and Kumar predates the latest MLC contest. Both have political connections to Mokama, and their rivalry has continued through multiple election cycles.

The Patna Graduates’ constituency became a focal point during the 2026 MLC elections after Singh campaigned for a candidate from another party. The contest also attracted attention because Jan Suraaj, led by Prashant Kishor, was competing across all eight Bihar Legislative Council constituencies.

Implications for JD(U) and Bihar Politics

The expulsion highlighted the challenges political parties face when individual leaders publicly oppose official candidates. It also raised questions about party discipline, internal rivalries and the role of local political relationships in electoral contests.

For the JD(U), the action marked a formal response to Singh’s support for a rival candidate. The request for a possible disqualification review introduced a separate constitutional dimension to the dispute.

The consequences for the individuals involved and the wider political landscape will depend on subsequent party decisions, any proceedings before the Assembly Speaker, and the results of the electoral process.

Conclusion: The JD(U)’s six-year expulsion of Anant Singh and Neelam Devi followed a public dispute over support for candidates in the Bihar MLC elections. The episode brought internal party discipline and the constitutional rules governing legislators into focus.