The Janata Dal (United) on Saturday expelled Mokama MLA Anant Kumar Singh and his wife, former MLA Neelam Devi, for six years and cancelled their primary membership with immediate effect.
The action came after Singh campaigned against JD(U) nominee Neeraj Kumar in the Bihar Legislative Council elections, backing Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh in the Patna Graduates constituency.
The party will also formally recommend to Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar that Anant Singh be disqualified as an MLA.
In an order issued by Bihar JD(U) president Umesh Singh Kushwaha, the party accused Singh of repeatedly defying its instructions and using inappropriate and insulting language against its top leadership.
Singh continued campaigning against Neeraj Kumar despite messages from party national president Nitish Kumar and working national president Sanjay Kumar Jha.
Union minister Lalan Singh met the former Bihar chief minister, shortly before the expulsions were announced.
SINGH HAD SAID HE WAS READY TO FACE ACTION
The dispute escalated during campaigning for the Patna Graduates seat, where Neeraj Kumar is seeking a fourth consecutive term. Anant Singh accused him of working against him during last year’s Assembly elections and challenged the party’s decision to back him.
“Neeraj has always fought elections in Nitish Kumar's name. He has got no credibility of his own. What contribution has he made to the party? The party is putting its weight behind him but was silent when he opposed me in previous elections. I am ready to face any action by the party,” Singh said.
After Nitish Kumar met Neeraj Kumar on Thursday, Singh said the JD(U) chief “goes wherever they take him”.
The campaign also saw personal attacks. When Neeraj Kumar was hospitalised three days before polling, Singh accused him of “nautanki”, or theatrics.
A RIVALRY DATING BACK TO 2015
The feud dates back to the 2015 Mokama Assembly election, when Anant Singh contested as an Independent and defeated Neeraj Kumar, then the JD(U) candidate.
Their differences have surfaced repeatedly since. Party leaders reportedly tried to broker peace ahead of the Council elections, but the efforts failed.
The rift spilled over into polling on Friday, when supporters of Anuj Singh and Neeraj Kumar clashed in Mokama. Police detained several people. Chhotu Singh, a close aide of Anant Singh, was also detained in Patna for allegedly disrupting peace.
“These tactics won't work. My people have been detained at several police stations. This will only benefit us. People's mandate is with Anuj Singh. People are the real masters and our victory is certain,” Anant Singh said.
Neeraj Kumar, meanwhile, expressed confidence that he would win as the NDA candidate.
The Patna Graduates constituency recorded a provisional turnout of 36.19 per cent, according to the Chief Electoral Officer’s office
Source: India Today