‘Nautanki’, ‘totka’, ‘Pudina Singh’. The war of words between JD(U) leaders Neeraj Kumar and Anant Singh has added a bitter edge to the contest for the Patna graduate constituency ahead of voting in the Bihar Legislative Council elections.
While Neeraj Kumar is seeking to retain his seat, Anant Singh has campaigned against him, backing Jan Suraaj candidate Dr Anuj Singh instead. The rivalry has turned the contest into a test of political standing for both leaders, with their public barbs drawing attention in the run-up to polling.
The verbal sparring intensified after Neeraj Kumar fell ill and was hospitalised three days before voting. Anant Singh took aim at him, accusing him of indulging in ‘nautanki’ and making remarks about ‘totka’. Singh’s ‘Pudina Singh’ persona during the campaign also became a talking point.
A RIVALRY DATING BACK TO 2015
The animosity between the two leaders predates the current election. During the 2015 Mokama Assembly election, Anant Singh contested as an Independent and defeated Neeraj Kumar, who was then the JD(U) candidate.
Their political differences have surfaced repeatedly since then. The latest contest has brought the rivalry back into focus, with the party officially backing Neeraj Kumar while Anant Singh is campaigning for a rival candidate.
The situation has added another dimension to the Patna graduate constituency election. Beyond the contest between candidates, the campaign has raised questions about how much support Neeraj Kumar will receive from within the JD(U) and whether Anant Singh’s backing will influence the performance of the Jan Suraaj nominee.
JD(U) LEADERS FAIL TO BROKER PEACE
The dispute has also posed a challenge for the JD(U) leadership, which has reportedly attempted to bring the two leaders together.
Party working national president Sanjay Jha and Union minister Lalan Singh are among those who tried to broker a reconciliation, but the efforts failed to resolve the differences. Lalan Singh, meanwhile, appeared to take a position closer to Anant Singh during the dispute.
With the party’s official candidate facing opposition from a sitting JD(U) MLA, the extent of organisational support for Neeraj Kumar remains a key question ahead of polling.
VOTING ON OCTOBER 23, RESULTS ON OCTOBER 27
Voting for eight Bihar Legislative Council seats is scheduled for October 23, with the Patna graduate constituency attracting particular attention because of the public feud.
The campaign has now given way to the voting process. The result, scheduled for October 27, will determine whether Neeraj Kumar retains his seat and how Anant Singh’s opposition to the JD(U) candidate translates at the ballot box.
For now, the focus is on whether the bitter exchanges of the campaign will have any bearing on the outcome.
- Ends