Janata Dal (United) leader and former Bihar minister Abhiram Sharma on Sunday, 25 October 2026, backed his party's decision to expel Mokama MLA Anant Singh and his wife, former MLA Neelam Devi, saying that 'such individuals should never have been included in the party in the first place.' The six-year expulsion, announced on Saturday by JD(U) state president Umesh Kushwaha, follows a public falling-out over the Bihar Legislative Council elections.

What Triggered the Expulsion

The immediate trigger was Anant Singh's open defiance during the election for the Patna Graduates' constituency of the Bihar Legislative Council. Instead of backing the official JD(U) candidate Neeraj Kumar, Singh campaigned for Anuj Singh, who contested on a Jan Suraaj ticket. Kushwaha cited repeated violations of party directives, alleged derogatory remarks against senior leadership, and this active cross-campaigning as grounds for the action.

What the Party Leadership Said

Sharma did not mince words in his assessment, stating, 'The decision taken by the party is the right one. We express our gratitude to Nitish Kumar and our national leader, Sanjay Jha, for making the right decision at the right time.' He further said, 'Such individuals should never have been included in the party in the first place. It leads to a bad reputation among the general public. Neeraj Kumar is an educated and decent man; he will win.'

Anti-Defection Notice to Speaker

Beyond the internal party action, JD(U) has written to the Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, seeking action against Anant Singh's membership under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with disqualification on grounds of defection. Any final ruling on disqualification, however, rests with the competent constitutional authority. This escalation signals that the party is pursuing both organisational and legal remedies simultaneously.

Background and Broader Context

Anant Singh, popularly known in Bihar politics by the nickname 'Chhote Sarkar,' has long been a controversial figure — he was convicted in an arms case in 2021 and remained in judicial custody for a period before his release. His inclusion in JD(U) was itself seen by some within the party as a pragmatic electoral move that prioritised winnability over ideological alignment. This is not the first time his loyalty to the party line has been questioned. The expulsion, coming during an active election cycle, is a pointed signal from the Nitish Kumar camp that no MLA is above party discipline — a message that will resonate beyond Mokama.

What Happens Next

The Bihar Legislative Council election for the Patna Graduates' constituency remains the immediate battleground. The disqualification petition before the Speaker adds a constitutional dimension that could affect Singh's tenure as a sitting MLA. Political observers will watch whether Jan Suraaj — the platform backed by activist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor — can capitalise on the dissent and consolidate anti-JD(U) sentiment in the constituency.