Anant Singh's shocking claim: Backed Nitish when he was 'nothing', got 9 murdered
Synopsis
Mokama MLA Anant Singh dropped one of Bihar's most explosive political claims in recent memory — telling reporters he stood by Nitish Kumar when the CM was 'nothing' and got nine people murdered in his support. The remark surfaced not as a threat but as a loyalty credential, amid a bitter JD(U) row over the Patna Graduates' MLC ticket.
Key Takeaways
Mokama MLA Anant Singh claimed on 16 October 2026 that he supported Nitish Kumar from his earliest political days and got ' nine people murdered ' for him.
The remarks came amid a dispute within JD(U) over the party's decision to field Neeraj Kumar in the Patna Graduates' constituency MLC election .
Singh alleged that Neeraj Kumar had previously opposed him and questioned the rationale behind the nomination.
Despite his public dissent, Singh said he remains a 'devotee of Nitish' and is not challenging the senior leader directly.
Mediation attempts involving state party president Umesh Kushwaha and others have so far failed to resolve the standoff.
Mokama MLA Anant Singh has made a startling claim in the midst of a bitter intra-party dispute within the Janata Dal (United) — alleging that he supported Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar from the very beginning of his political career and, in doing so, 'got nine people murdered.' The remarks surfaced on 16 October 2026 as factional tensions over the Patna Graduates' constituency MLC election candidate selection reached a new high.
The Explosive Claim
Speaking in an interview, Anant Singh — widely known in the region as 'Chhote Sarkar' — described himself as an unflinching loyalist of Nitish Kumar. When pressed on whether he still stood by the party, he said: 'Who has made as many sacrifices as I have? Nitish Kumar was nothing back then. He used to roam around here and there. At that time, while being with Nitish Kumar, I got nine people murdered.'
Singh was careful to frame the remark as evidence of personal sacrifice, not as a challenge to the party's senior leadership. 'I am a devotee of Nitish. I am not challenging anyone,' he said, even as his words sent shockwaves through JD(U) circles.
The Candidate Dispute at the Centre
The immediate trigger for Singh's outburst is the party's decision to field Neeraj Kumar in the Patna Graduates' constituency MLC election. Singh argued the selection was a mistake and alleged that Neeraj Kumar had previously opposed him — making the nomination personally objectionable. He questioned why the party would nominate someone with whom he had long-standing differences.
Despite his sharp criticism of the candidate selection, Singh maintained that his grievance was directed at the decision-making process and at Neeraj Kumar specifically, rather than at Nitish Kumar personally. He said he was otherwise prepared to follow party directions.
Internal Mediation Efforts
According to reports, attempts have been made at multiple levels within the JD(U) to defuse the standoff. Discussions reportedly involved state party president Umesh Kushwaha and other senior leaders. Possible efforts to bring in Nishant Kumar as a mediator were also discussed. However, as of 16 October, the dispute remained unresolved.
Singh has continued to voice public objections to Neeraj Kumar's candidature, keeping the fissure visible at a time when the party needs to project unity for the MLC campaign.
Political Background
Anant Singh has maintained a commanding presence in Mokama for years, with a reputation that cuts across political lines in Bihar. His support base has historically been an asset for any party he backs. His publicly stated opposition to the JD(U)'s official pick is therefore not a peripheral dissent — it carries electoral weight in the constituency and reputational risk for the party.
Notably, this is not the first time internal disagreements over candidate selection have surfaced within the JD(U). The party faces the challenge of reconciling strong regional satraps with centralised candidate-picking — a tension that has repeatedly tested its cohesion ahead of elections.
What Happens Next
With the MLC election campaign underway and no resolution in sight, the JD(U) faces a delicate balancing act: accommodating a powerful local MLA without reversing an already-announced candidature. All eyes are now on whether the party's central leadership steps in directly to broker a settlement before the dispute damages its electoral prospects in the Patna Graduates' constituency.
Point of View
Not a confession — yet the political and legal implications are impossible to separate from the electoral calculation. The JD(U) now faces a classic strongman dilemma: disciplining Singh risks losing a vote-bank anchor in Mokama, while absorbing his dissent signals that powerful local leaders can override central candidate selection with impunity. Bihar's politics has long rewarded muscle over mandate, and this episode is a reminder that the party's modernising self-image sits uneasily alongside its dependence on regional satraps whose authority rests on far murkier foundations.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Anant Singh claim about Nitish Kumar?
Anant Singh, the JD(U) MLA from Mokama, claimed that he supported Nitish Kumar from the very early days of his political career — when, in Singh's words, Kumar 'was nothing' — and that he got nine people murdered in the course of backing him. He framed the remark as evidence of personal sacrifice rather than a challenge to Nitish Kumar's leadership.
Why is Anant Singh upset with the JD(U)?
Singh is opposed to the party's decision to nominate Neeraj Kumar for the Patna Graduates' constituency MLC election. He alleges that Neeraj Kumar previously opposed him and argues it was a mistake for the party to field a candidate with whom he has longstanding differences.
What is the Patna Graduates' constituency MLC election dispute about?
The JD(U) selected Neeraj Kumar as its candidate for the Patna Graduates' constituency MLC election, a choice that Anant Singh has publicly rejected. The dispute has exposed a factional rift within the party, with internal mediation efforts so far failing to resolve the standoff.
Has the JD(U) tried to resolve the dispute?
Yes. According to reports, discussions involving state party president Umesh Kushwaha and other senior leaders have taken place, with possible efforts to engage Nishant Kumar as a mediator also discussed. However, as of 16 October 2026, the dispute remained unresolved and Anant Singh continued to publicly oppose Neeraj Kumar's candidature.
