PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary’s initiative to resolve the political feud between two senior JD(U) leaders, Anant Singh and Neeraj Kumar, ahead of the upcoming MLC polls failed to yield a positive result.
Meanwhile, three MLAs of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), led by former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha, were conspicuous by their absence at the NDA meeting held at the chief minister’s residence on Friday.
Choudhary later warned of stern action against those opposing NDA candidates in the elections to eight Graduates’ and Teachers’ constituencies of the Bihar Legislative Council. “Stern action will be taken against those working against the candidates of the alliance,” he said at the crucial meeting held ahead of the polls.
While Neeraj is seeking a fourth term from the Patna Graduates’ constituency, JD(U) MLA from Mokama Anant Singh, who is considered close to former JD(U) national president and Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, is supporting Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) candidate Anuj Singh.
Anant Singh has been campaigning continuously for Anuj and targeting his long-time political rival Neeraj Kumar, even after reportedly promising Lalan Singh that he would not publicly attack the JD(U) candidate.
Speaking to the media before the meeting, Anant said it had not been convened to discuss the elections but to address other party-related matters. “The agenda of the meeting has not been disclosed,” he said.
Asked whether he would reconsider his support for the Jan Suraaj candidate, the JD(U) MLA said his position remained unchanged and that he would continue to support Anuj Singh.
After the meeting, Samrat posted a message on X, saying: “Today (Friday), a meeting of the NDA legislature party was held at Lok Sevak Awas (the chief minister’s residence). The meeting extensively discussed strengthening the unity of the alliance, mutual coordination and organisational resilience. Unity is our strength, public service is our resolve, and the development of Bihar is our goal.”
However, JD(U) minister Jama Khan said all issues related to the Legislative Council elections had been discussed at the meeting. He expressed confidence that NDA candidates would win, adding that all party workers would support them.
Asked whether efforts were being made to persuade Anant Singh, Khan said, “He is our brother. Why do we need to persuade him?”
The meeting was attended by MLAs, MLCs and MPs from all five NDA constituents — the BJP, JD(U), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Rashtriya Lok Morcha and Hindustani Awam Morcha.
Both Anant Singh, the JD(U) MLA from Mokama, and Neeraj Kumar, the party’s candidate for the Patna Graduates’ constituency, attended the meeting.
Senior JD(U) leader and minister Shravan Kumar said the NDA constituents had unanimously decided that action would be taken against those campaigning against the alliance.
“The NDA meeting was held, and everyone unanimously decided that action would be taken against those campaigning against the alliance. CM Samrat Choudhary also said this,” he said.
Asked whether disciplinary action could be taken against Anant Singh, Shravan Kumar said action would follow if he continued making such statements.