Bihar MLC polls: JD(U) faces dissent; RLM to back own candidate

Three of the four MLAs of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) — a ruling NDA ally in Bihar — have decided to support their party’s own candidate, Ram Pukar Sinha, in the Saran Teachers constituency for the upcoming Legislative Council election, instead of the JD(U)’s candidate Anand Pushkar.

One of the rebel MLAs, Anand Madhav, said the decision was taken out of “respect” for party workers. He asserted that the MLAs would remain with the NDA. The fourth RLM MLA, Snehlata Kushwaha, is the wife of RLM chief and Rajya Sabha member Upendra Kushwaha.

Mr. Anant Singh, who is considered close to Mr. Lalan Singh, may take a final decision on ending the rift, failing which the party could take action against him. Mr. Anant Singh has announced his support for Opposition Jan Suraaj Party candidate Anuj Kumar Singh.

Mr. Neeraj Kumar, the JD(U)’s candidate from the Patna Graduate constituency, is considered close to Mr. Nitish Kumar, who recently gave his approval to his candidature for the upcoming Legislative Council election. Mr. Neeraj Kumar, meanwhile, left his residence on Monday to file his nomination papers.

Meanwhile, JD(U) MP from Munger and Union Panchayati Raj minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh spoke to media persons before leaving for Delhi.

“Today I spoke to party MLA Anant Singh and he too has some reservations and issues which were not addressed by the party earlier… when Mr Singh was contesting state assembly polls from Mokama, misinformation were spread against him but but party disciplinary committee did not take any against the person ( party official candidate for the council poll Neeraj Kumar) so he said, he too would not campaign for him.”

“Despite everything I requested him ( Lalan Singh) not to make any public statement against the party or the candidate and he agreed to it,” he said.

Earlier, former chief minister of the state and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar had a meeting with Mr Lalan Singh in which it is believed that he has urged Mr Singh to broker a peace between both warring party leaders.

JD(U) national working president Sanjay Jha too had earlier said that he has urged party MP and union minister Lalan Singh to end the rift between the two leaders.

Elections for eight seats in the Bihar Legislative Council — that are falling vacant on November 16 — are scheduled for October 23. The BJP and JD(U) have fielded candidates for four seats each. The other ruling NDA allies — Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) — have announced their support for NDA candidates.

October 6 is the last date for filing nominations. Some BJP candidates, including Nawal Kishore Yadav from the Patna Teachers constituency, are also scheduled to file their nomination papers on Monday, October 5.