JDU Faces Internal Rift Over Patna Graduate Council Seat as Anant Singh Backs Opponent

Patna. The contest for the Patna Graduate constituency of the Bihar Legislative Council has become a flashpoint for the Janata Dal (United). While the party has again put forward incumbent MLC Neerju Kumar, Mokama MLA Anant Singh has taken the extraordinary step of openly endorsing Jan Suraaj’s candidate, Anuj Singh.

Anant Singh Throws His Weight Behind Jan Suraaj

At a recent event tied to the nomination process, Anant Singh stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Anuj Singh, joining the rival’s road‑show and amplifying his campaign message. This public backing runs counter to the JDU’s official line, which backs Neerju Kumar for the graduate seat.

Party insiders say Singh’s defection stems from a long‑standing personal and political feud with Kumar, a dispute that has now spilled into the public arena and forced the JDU leadership to confront a rare intra‑party showdown.

Leadership Steps In to Heal the Split

Senior leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh, popularly known as Lalan Singh, has been tasked with brokering peace between the two camps. Working President Sanjay Kumar Jha announced that a series of talks with both Anant Singh and Neerju Kumar will be arranged to seek a settlement.

The timing is crucial, as Neerju Kumar is scheduled to submit his nomination on Monday. Meanwhile, Chief Minister and JDU national president Nitish Kumar met with Lalan Singh that same morning to assess the situation and map a way forward.

Neerju Kumar Remains the Party’s Flag‑Bearer

Despite the dissent, the JDU has reaffirmed that Neerju Kumar will contest the Patna Graduate seat for a second term. Kumar has already met with Nitish Kumar ahead of the nomination deadline, underscoring his commitment to the campaign.

Jan Suraaj, for its part, has fielded Anuj Singh, turning the constituency into a focal point of Bihar’s political discourse.

What Lies Ahead?

The immediate spotlight now falls on Neerju Kumar’s filing of nomination papers and whether Anant Singh will continue to back the rival candidate. The episode is noteworthy because it pits two members of the same party against each other in a single contest.

For JDU’s top brass, reconciling the two leaders is essential to present a united front as the election progresses. The next developments after the nomination filing will reveal whether the party can bridge the divide or if the discord will linger throughout the campaign.