Mokama MLA Anant Singh Claims JD(U) Is Finished After Six-Year Party Expulsion

Expulsion And Fallout

Mokama MLA Anant Singh and his wife, former MLA Neelam Devi, were expelled from the Janata Dal (United) for six years on Saturday over alleged anti-party activities. Speaking to reporters at his Patna residence on Sunday, Mr. Singh hit out at the party leadership and declared that the JD(U) is finished. He blamed JD(U) Working President Sanjay Kumar Jha for the disciplinary action and claimed the party will struggle to win even 10 seats in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. The JD(U) currently holds 84 seats in the 243-member state assembly, alongside 12 Lok Sabha members, and is a key ally in the ruling National Democratic Alliance.

Political Future

Mr. Singh stated that he refused to seek a party ticket when he originally joined and claimed the leadership had approached him instead. Addressing his next steps, he refused to name any party he might join and instead indicated he may float his own political outfit. The tensions arose after he campaigned widely for Jans Suraaj Party candidate Anuj Kumar Singh during the recent Bihar Legislative Council polls against the official JD(U) candidate Neeraj Kumar. Following his expulsion, the JD(U) also urged Bihar Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar to rescind his membership of the House with immediate effect under the anti-defection law.

Context

Disciplinary actions and internal rebellions often surface during alliance politics and legislative council elections in states like Bihar. Party leaders frequently invoke anti-defection rules to maintain discipline when senior members openly campaign for rival candidates. Political figures who break away from established regional parties routinely explore forming independent outfits to test their local influence.