Patna: Expelled JD(U) leader and Mokama MLA Anant Kumar Singh on Sunday claimed the party would struggle to win even 10-12 seats in future elections and announced plans to float his own political outfit.
Expulsion Follows Feud With Party Colleague
Singh made the remarks a day after the JD(U) expelled him for six years over alleged anti-party activities. He said he had no regrets over the action. The action against Singh followed his repeated public attacks on party colleague and MLC Neeraj Kumar during the recent Bihar Legislative Council elections. Instead of supporting Neeraj, contesting the election from the Patna Graduates' constituency, Anant supported Jan Suraaj Party (JSP)-backed candidate Anuj Singh. Before Anant Singh's expulsion from the party, former JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh had held deliberations with former chief minister and party chief Nitish Kumar. Lalan Singh had earlier attempted to broker peace between Anant Singh and Neeraj Kumar, both of whom belong to the politically influential Bhumihar community. However, the reconciliation efforts failed to end the public feud. Incidentally, Lalan Singh is also a Bhumihar.
“I will simply build my own party. I have no regrets. Whatever action has been taken is fine. I have no issues with it,” Anant Singh told reporters in Patna.
Anant Singh Questions JD(U) Leadership
Questioning the contribution of the JD(U)’s current leadership, Singh claimed the party’s political standing was closely linked to Nitish Kumar.
“The party belonged to Nitish Kumar. Now that Nitish Kumar is no longer there (in an active role), what is left of the party? Who among those in the leadership — the ones who expelled me — has actually contributed anything?” he said. “The JD(U) is finished. Once they hold elections, everything will become clear,” he added.
Despite his criticism of the party leadership, Anant Singh said his personal ties with Nitish Kumar remained cordial and that he planned to visit the former chief minister.
JD(U) Also Expels Neelam Devi
The JD(U) also expelled Anant's wife and former MLA Neelam Devi for six years with immediate effect in view of her anti-party activities.
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According to an order issued by Bihar JD(U) president Umesh Singh Kushwaha, Singh was accused of disregarding party directives, using “inappropriate and derogatory language” against the leadership and campaigning for a rival party’s candidate in the recently concluded legislative council elections.
Party Seeks Cancellation Of MLA Membership
The party also recommended to the Bihar Assembly Speaker that Anant Singh’s membership be cancelled under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution.
