JD(U) expels MLA Anant Singh and former MLA Neelam Devi for anti-party work

UPDATE - follow-up to JD(U) expels Mokarna MLA Anant Singh for six years, cites 'anti-party' activities: The Janata Dal-United expelled Mokama MLA Anant Singh and his wife, former legislator Neelam Devi, from the party for six years on Saturday.

Party Action

State JD(U) president Umesh Singh Kushwaha signed the expulsion letter. The party stated that Anant Singh defied instructions, used bad language against top leaders, and actively campaigned for Jan Suraaj Party candidate Anuj Kumar Singh in the Patna Graduate seat of the State Legislative Council elections. He opposed the official JD(U) nominee, Neeraj Kumar. The ruling NDA ally also asked Bihar Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar to cancel Anant Singh's House membership under the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Background

Results for eight Legislative Council seats came out on Friday. Anant Singh openly stated he wanted to defeat Neeraj Kumar because Kumar opposed him in past assembly polls. Supporters of Anant Singh celebrated with crackers during polling after Anuj Kumar Singh won. Party supremo Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary had earlier backed Neeraj Kumar, who was seeking his fourth consecutive term.

Context

Disciplinary actions against high-profile members in major Indian political parties usually follow open defiance during elections. Such steps aim to maintain internal party discipline and signal strict limits on members supporting rival candidates.