Patna, Sep 18 (IANS): JD(U) MLA from Mokama, Anant Singh, has publicly announced his opposition to party leader Neeraj Kumar in the upcoming Patna Graduate constituency Legislative Council election, saying he will use all his political strength to defeat him.
Speaking to journalists in Patna, Singh argued that his opposition did not amount to acting against the JD(U), as Legislative Council elections are not contested on the party’s election symbol.
He alleged that Neeraj Kumar had previously worked against him and had also attempted to undermine senior JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh, alias Lalan Singh.
Singh claimed that Neeraj Kumar’s defeat in the upcoming election was certain and said he would make every effort to ensure it.
He also challenged Neeraj Kumar to undergo a narco-analysis test.
Singh alleged that Neeraj Kumar had opposed him in all four Assembly elections in which he had contested.
He claimed that Kumar’s opposition had forced him to contest the 2015 Assembly election as an independent candidate.
According to Singh, Neeraj Kumar had also criticised Lalan Singh whenever the JD(U) gave him an election ticket.
Singh said he had previously confronted Kumar over what he described as repeated opposition but received no satisfactory response.
Singh further alleged that Kumar was responsible for a case involving the alleged planting of an AK-47 at his residence, which he claimed resulted in his arrest and imprisonment. These allegations have not been independently established.
Singh had earlier extended his support to his associate Anuj Kumar Singh, who is expected to contest the Patna Graduate constituency election as an independent candidate.
During a visit to Bedhna village in Barh, Singh said voters across the Assembly segments falling under the Patna Graduate constituency would support Anuj Kumar Singh and work for his victory.
Following the development, a JD(U) meeting led by Nishant Kumar was convened earlier in an effort to broker a reconciliation between Anant Singh and Neeraj Kumar.
Singh did not speak to the media after that meeting.
The JD(U) has subsequently claimed that a reconciliation has been reached between the two leaders.
Meanwhile, incumbent JD(U) MLC Neeraj Kumar said the party had not yet formally announced him as its candidate for the Patna Graduate seat.
Asked about the possibility of an independent challenge from Anuj Singh, who has Anant Singh’s backing, Neeraj Kumar said that in elections contested along party lines, organisational strength and the deployment of polling agents are important factors.
He also referred to his previous electoral experiences and his support base.
With the RJD having announced its candidate and Jan Suraaj also entering the contest, political activity around the Patna Graduate constituency has intensified.
The uncertainty over the JD(U)’s final candidate and Anant Singh’s open support for Anuj Singh have added another dimension to the contest.
