Janata Dal (United) has scheduled a comprehensive review meeting on 5 November to analyse its defeat in three of four Bihar Legislative Council seats contested in the recent Teachers' and Graduates' constituency elections. The party's National Working President, Sanjay Jha, confirmed in Patna on Thursday, 29 October that strict disciplinary action will follow the review, targeting rebels who actively worked against official candidates.

Anant Singh Expelled, Wife Loses MoS Status

The most consequential disciplinary action taken so far is the six-year revocation of primary membership of sitting legislator Anant Singh, executed under direct orders from JD(U) National President and former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The party unanimously resolved the expulsion after Singh openly campaigned against official JD(U) candidate Neeraj Kumar in the Patna Graduates' constituency, instead backing 'Jan Suraaj' candidate Anuj Singh.

Sanjay Jha said Singh's conduct had generated 'widespread internal chaos' within the organisation. 'Anant Singh's continuous involvement in anti-party activities left us with no choice,' Jha affirmed. 'The unanimous decision to expel him was executed under the orders of National President Nitish Kumar,' he added.

Beyond the membership revocation, JD(U) has formally petitioned the Bihar Assembly Speaker to strip Singh of his legislative membership. Separately, the Minister of State designation previously held by Singh's wife, Neelam Devi, has been rescinded — a move that underlines how comprehensively the party has moved to isolate him.

Mixed MLC Results: One Win, Three Losses

Despite the internal resistance, Neeraj Kumar emerged victorious in the Patna Graduates' constituency following a closely fought contest, providing the ruling alliance a measure of relief. However, the broader Legislative Council results delivered a sobering verdict: JD(U) lost three of the four seats it contested across Teachers' and Graduates' constituencies.

Jha expressed particular disappointment at the lack of support from the teaching community, noting this came despite what he described as extensive developmental work by the Nitish Kumar administration. The party views the Teachers' constituency losses as a signal that localised outreach strategies need recalibration.

Sharp Attack on Congress Over Poll Demands

Addressing reporters, Jha mounted a pointed critique of the Indian National Congress, questioning a scheduled party protest on 1 November. He highlighted what he called the 'irony' of Congress demanding a return to paper ballots while suffering a comprehensive defeat in the very Legislative Council elections conducted under the existing system.

'In both Bihar and Karnataka, Congress failed to retain even its sitting seats,' Jha remarked. 'What explanation will they offer to the Election Commission now? It is evident that the public simply does not favour them,' he said. He further alleged that opposition leaders were attempting to incite nationwide instability out of frustration over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's consecutive electoral mandates, accusing certain elements of drawing inspiration from unrest seen in France and Bangladesh.

Organisational Restructuring and 'Good Governance Day'

Earlier on Thursday, Jha presided over an organisational meeting at the JD(U) state headquarters in Patna, attended by State President Umesh Kushwaha and several district presidents. The party leadership resolved to observe 'Good Governance Day' (Sushasan Diwas) on 26 November, with a grand event planned in Patna for which an extensive outreach strategy is being formulated.

The 5 November review meeting will serve as the platform to assess the electoral losses in detail, identify rebels who defied party directives, and chart a revised organisational roadmap ahead of future elections in Bihar.