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JDU expels Mokama MLA Anant Singh from party for 6 years, days after controversial remarks spark row
A press statement said the party would also recommend to the Speaker of the state assembly to disqualify the Mokama MLA from the house.
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A day after the biennial polls for eight seats to the State Legislative Council from teachers and graduates constituencies, the ruling Janata Dal (United) on Saturday expelled the party's strongman and estranged Mokama MLA Anant Singh and his wife Neelam Devi for six years for defying the party leadership and supporting a candidate of a rival party in the elections.
A press statement issued by the state JD(U) president Umesh Kushwaha said the party would also recommend to the Speaker of the state assembly to disqualify the Mokama MLA from the house.
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The statement said the decision to expel the Mokama MLA was taken for the latter's bid to flout the directives of the party leadership, use unsavoury words against top party leaders, and also canvass for a candidate of a rival party and work against the JD(U)'s official nominee in the biennial polls.
What happened?
Singh, who is known as 'Chote Sarkar' in Mokama for having considerable clout in his constituency, had been vocal against JD(U)'s sitting MLC from Patna graduates constituency and official nominee from the seat, Neeraj Kumar, for over a month in the run-up to the polls.
Singh had accused the JD(U) MLC of framing him in various cases and announced that he would ensure Neeraj's defeat in the biennial polls this time.
The Mokama MLA had also made it public that he would support the Jan Suraaj Party candidate from Patna graduates seat, Anuj Singh, and had participated in the nomination roadshow of the party’s candidate.
On his part, the JD(U) MLC Neeraj, who is again seeking re-election for another term, had called the Mokama MLA a lightweight, giving him a moniker of 'Pudina Singh', which had prompted Singh to give a retort that he would take out all of Neeraj's 'gas' (implying arrogance, pride) on the polling day of the biennial polls on October 23.
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Ongoing feud between JD(U) legislators
The ongoing feud between two JD(U) legislators came as a big embarrassment for the party's top leaders who initially tried to broker peace but failed to mollify the Mokama MLA, who remained defiant.
"I have all respect for former chief minister Nitish Kumar. But I have certain issues with JD(U) MLC, and I want his defeat," Singh had said.
In various interviews, Singh had even taken potshots at top JD(U) leaders too, claiming they were trying to weaken the party.
On Friday, top JD(U) leaders had indicated that there would be some action against the Mokama MLA, with JD(U) MLC Neeraj himself stating that 'people should wait for the time and things would unfold'.
There has been no reaction from the Mokama MLA so far to his expulsion, though in the last few days, Singh claimed he was not at all worried if the party takes any action against him.
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Neelam Devi expelled from party for six years
The Mokama MLA's wife, Neelam Devi, has been expelled from the party for six years, with suspension from primary membership for anti-party activities, the party statement said.
Neelam Devi was MLA from Mokama from November 2022 to November 2025 after winning the seat in a by-election.
Leaders react to Mokama MLA's expulsion
Former JD(U) MLC Valmiki Singh came in support of expelled Mokama MLA Anant Singh, stating that the letter issued against Singh was wrong.
"Some cockroaches are trying to finish the party. Those who are supporting former CM Nitish Kumar and health minister Nishant Kumar are being sidelined. The action against Mokama MLA is wrong. If there is any by-election, he will win again. We are in open support for the Mokama MLA," Singh said.
Meanwhile, senior JD(U) leader and MLA Shyam Rajak said the party had taken disciplinary action against the Mokama MLA for his follies and indisciplined behaviour.
"The Mokama MLA had crossed all limits of indiscipline, and the party has taken the decision to expel him with all seriousness," Rajak said.
He also equated the action by JD(U) against Mokama MLA with the way Lord Krishna had acted decisively against Shishupal by having his head beheaded using the Sudarshana Chakra.
"We counted all his follies, and now we have acted against him," Rajak said, adding that the state committee was well empowered to take action against the Mokama MLA.
