Bihar politics got a jolt on Saturday. Anant Singh, the Mokama MLA long seen as one of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s most colourful allies, is now out of the Janata Dal (United), and his wife is out with him.
On October 24, 2026, the JD(U) expelled Anant Singh and his wife, former MLA Neelam Devi, for six years over what it called anti-party activities. The order, issued in Patna by Bihar JD(U) president Umesh Singh Kushwaha, ended both leaders’ primary membership with immediate effect. The party says Singh campaigned against its own candidate in the Bihar Legislative Council (MLC) elections held a day earlier.
Quick Facts
- Who: Mokama MLA Anant Kumar Singh and his wife, ex-MLA Neelam Devi
- What: Expelled from JD(U) for six years for “anti-party activities”
- When: Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Where: Patna, Bihar
- Order issued by: Bihar JD(U) president Umesh Singh Kushwaha
- Next step: JD(U) has asked the Assembly Speaker to end Singh’s MLA membership under the Tenth Schedule
Why JD(U) Expelled Anant Singh
According to the party statement reported by PTI and IANS, JD(U) listed three main reasons for the action against Singh:
- Repeatedly ignoring the party’s instructions
- Using insulting and inappropriate language about the party’s top leadership
- Campaigning for another party’s candidate in the recent Legislative Council polls
For Neelam Devi, the party cited involvement in anti-party activities but did not spell out specific details in the reports available so far.
The MLC Poll Feud With Neeraj Kumar
The trigger was the contest for the Patna Graduates’ seat in the Bihar Legislative Council. Polling took place on October 23, according to The Daily Jagran.
JD(U) fielded Neeraj Kumar, who is seeking a fourth straight term from the seat. Singh, instead of backing his own party’s man, openly supported Anuj Singh, the candidate of Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party. Reports say he even accompanied Anuj Singh when he filed his nomination and publicly vowed to “defeat” Neeraj Kumar.
The friction between the two JD(U) leaders grew through the campaign. The Daily Jagran reported that Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, seen as close to Anant Singh, tried to patch things up before polling day, but the effort did not work.
The “Nine Murders” Remark That Raised the Heat
The expulsion also follows a remark that drew wide attention earlier this month. IANS reported on October 16 that Singh, when asked in Patna whether he still stood with his party, said he had got nine people murdered while being with Nitish Kumar.
Singh later said he had been misunderstood. His explanation, as reported by Oneindia, was that nine of his associates were killed during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s time in power because they had supported Nitish Kumar. In the same exchange, he also made dismissive comments about Nitish Kumar’s early days in politics.
The JD(U) order did not quote any specific remark, but its mention of “insulting language against top leadership” points to the tone Singh had taken in recent weeks.
Will Anant Singh Lose His Mokama Seat?
Not automatically. Being thrown out of a party and losing an Assembly seat are two separate things.
JD(U) has asked the Bihar Assembly Speaker to terminate Singh’s membership of the House under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, better known as the anti-defection law. The Speaker will decide on that request under the rules. Until then, Singh remains the MLA from Mokama.
Mokama, in Patna district, has been Singh’s political base for years, and he has a strong personal following there. That is why many in Bihar will watch the Speaker’s decision closely.
What We Don’t Know Yet
- The result of the Patna Graduates’ MLC contest had not been reported in the coverage we reviewed.
- Anant Singh has not publicly responded to the expulsion so far, as per available reports.
- There is no word yet on whether he will formally join Jan Suraaj or any other party.
- There is no timeline for the Speaker’s decision on the Tenth Schedule request.
What This Means for Bihar Politics
For JD(U), the message is clear: backing a rival in an election, even a council poll, will not be tolerated, however big the name. Expelling a sitting MLA along with his wife is a strong signal to other leaders.
For Jan Suraaj, having a well-known local strongman campaign for its candidate brought visibility in a Patna seat. Whether that turns into a longer tie-up is still an open question.
For voters in Mokama, little changes on the ground for now. Their MLA stays in office unless the Speaker rules otherwise.
The Bigger Picture
Party expulsions for six years are a familiar tool in Bihar politics, and JD(U) has used them before against leaders accused of working against official candidates. What sets this case apart is the profile of the person involved and the open nature of the revolt. The next moves now lie with the Speaker and with Singh himself.
FAQs
Why was Anant Singh expelled from JD(U)?
JD(U) said he ignored party directions, used insulting language about top leaders and campaigned for a Jan Suraaj candidate against JD(U)’s Neeraj Kumar in the MLC polls.
For how long has Anant Singh been expelled?
He has been expelled for six years, and his primary membership was cancelled with immediate effect on October 24, 2026.
Is Anant Singh still the Mokama MLA?
Yes, for now. JD(U) has asked the Speaker to end his membership under the anti-defection law, but the Speaker has to decide on that.
Who is Neelam Devi?
Neelam Devi is Anant Singh’s wife and a former MLA. She was also expelled from JD(U) for six years over alleged anti-party activities.
Which candidate did Anant Singh support in the MLC election?
He backed Anuj Singh of the Jan Suraaj Party in the Patna Graduates’ constituency, against JD(U)’s Neeraj Kumar.
You can read the original PTI report on the expulsion on ThePrint.
Based on reporting by PTI (via ThePrint), IANS (via Oneindia) and The Daily Jagran.
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