JD(U) MLA Anant Singh Claims He Ordered Murders for Nitish Kumar

Janata Dal (United) MLA Anant Kumar Singh sparked a political crisis in Bihar after claiming he orchestrated the murders of nine people to support Nitish Kumar during the former Chief Minister's early political career. The remarks emerged during an internal party dispute over the nomination of Neeraj Kumar for the Patna Graduates' constituency in the Bihar Legislative Council elections scheduled for October 23, 2026. Singh, who opposes Neeraj Kumar's candidacy, pledged support to Jan Suraaj Party candidate Anuj Singh.

Following a public outcry, Singh retracted his statement, claiming he was misunderstood. He asserted that the nine victims were actually his own associates killed by the previous administration of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav because of Singh's alignment with Nitish Kumar.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal characterized the initial remark as a confession of political crimes and alleged a nexus between the JD(U) and criminal gangs. In response, JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad rejected the claims, stating that Nitish Kumar has maintained an unblemished reputation over five decades and has never been associated with violence. Working President Sanjay Kumar Jha downplayed the controversy, noting that the party was aware of the situation and that a clarification had been issued.