Janata Dal (United) on Saturday, 17 October moved to contain a growing political controversy in Bihar after Mokama MLA Anant Singh alleged that he had got nine people murdered in support of Nitish Kumar during the latter's early political career. The party swiftly defended Kumar, calling his five-decade career 'unblemished' even as the claim triggered sharp reactions across party lines.

What Anant Singh Said

Anant Singh, the sitting Mokama MLA popularly known as 'Chhote Sarkar', made the incendiary claim on Friday, 16 October, asserting that he had made sacrifices no other party member had. 'I have made major sacrifices for Nitish Kumar during his initial political career. No other member of the party has made such a sacrifice as I made for him,' he said.

He went further, claiming: 'Who has made as many sacrifices as I have? Nitish Kumar was nothing then. He used to roam around. At that time, while being with Nitish Kumar, I got nine people murdered.' Singh simultaneously insisted his loyalty to Kumar remained intact, adding that he had 'never challenged his leadership.'

Singh subsequently issued a clarification regarding the remarks, though the contents of the clarification were not fully detailed publicly. The matter is, according to the party, now in the knowledge of the state leadership.

JD(U)'s Defence of Nitish Kumar

JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan described Kumar's political record as exceptional. 'First, former Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) National President Nitish Kumar is among the few politicians whose 50-year parliamentary career has remained unblemished, with no stain on his record. He has emerged spotless every time, even from the 'chamber of soot'. Forget violence and crime, he has never encouraged negative politics either,' Ranjan said.

JD(U) Working National President Sanjay Jha sought to downplay the episode. 'His statement came out, and he has also issued a clarification. The matter is in the knowledge of the state party leadership,' Jha told reporters.

BJP Calls It an Internal JD(U) Matter

BJP National Spokesperson Guru Prakash distanced his party from the dispute. 'This is an internal matter of the JD(U). They have two candidates from within their party. We are confident that they will sit together, reach a consensus and resolve the issue,' he said — a measured response given that the BJP and JD(U) are alliance partners in Bihar.

The Patna Graduates' Constituency Flashpoint

The controversy erupts against the backdrop of the Patna Graduates' constituency election, scheduled for 23 October. Singh is backing a candidate named Anuj against the official JD(U) nominee, Neeraj Kumar, for the upcoming MLC election. Singh justified his decision by arguing that elections to the Graduates' constituency are not contested along party lines.

The rivalry between Singh and Neeraj Kumar is long-standing within JD(U) circles. Singh alleged that Neeraj had previously worked against him in elections to the Mokama Assembly constituency. 'I will ensure Neeraj's defeat in the election,' Singh had declared earlier. Notably, even Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, alias Lalan Singh, reportedly failed to pacify Anant Singh, signalling the depth of the internal rift.

What Happens Next

The 23 October Patna Graduates' constituency poll will serve as an immediate test of how much damage Singh's rebellion can inflict on the official JD(U) machinery. With Bihar's political landscape already sensitive ahead of state elections, the episode underscores the tensions that can surface when local strongmen and party hierarchies collide. How Kumar and the JD(U) leadership manage the fallout — and whether Singh faces any formal disciplinary action — will define the party's next move.