A high-level National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting chaired by Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary at his official residence in Patna on 9 October 2026 concluded without any resolution to the internal dispute involving Mokama MLA Anant Singh and Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] leader Neeraj Kumar, ahead of the state's Legislative Council elections. The meeting, attended by NDA MLAs and MPs, was widely expected to paper over cracks within the alliance before polling day.

What Happened at the Meeting

Despite the gathering of senior NDA legislators and parliamentarians, no visible consensus emerged on the Anant Singh–Neeraj Kumar dispute. Anant Singh, speaking to reporters outside the Chief Minister's residence after the meeting, said discussions centred on governance responsibilities and the duties of elected leaders — and that the election itself was not formally discussed. He reiterated that his position remained unchanged: he would campaign for Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh.

Alliance Leaders Play Down the Rift

JD(U) Minister Jama Khan, who attended the meeting, sought to minimise the significance of the reported differences. 'There is no resentment within the party. We are like a family, and occasional differences are normal,' Khan said, adding that the NDA remained united and was confident of winning all eight seats. He described Anant Singh as a 'brother' and said there was no need to persuade him, while stopping short of addressing the dispute directly.

Notably, when Anant Singh's name was raised, Naval Kishore Yadav reacted sharply and dismissed his remarks, signalling that tensions within the alliance run deeper than the official messaging suggests.

What Is at Stake: The Legislative Council Seats

Elections are being held for eight Bihar Legislative Council seats — four under the teachers' constituency quota and four under the graduates' constituency quota. Polling is scheduled for 23 October, with vote counting set for 27 October. The NDA has publicly maintained it is on course to win all eight seats, though the unresolved internal dissent complicates that projection.

Background: Anant Singh's Defiance

Anant Singh, the JD(U) MLA from Mokama, has publicly declared support for Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh — a direct contradiction of the alliance's coordinated campaign strategy. His stance has drawn considerable attention as NDA constituent parties work to present a unified front. The reported friction between Anant Singh and Neeraj Kumar has become a focal point as the October polls approach. This comes amid broader efforts by the NDA to consolidate its position in Bihar ahead of what are considered bellwether council elections.

What Happens Next

With polling just days away and no resolution in sight, the NDA faces the challenge of managing a public display of disunity. Whether Anant Singh's open support for a rival candidate materially affects vote outcomes in the Mokama constituency and beyond will become clear when counting begins on 27 October. Alliance managers will be watching closely for any further public statements from Singh in the days leading up to the vote.