JDU faces dissent over possible return of Anant Singh

New Delhi: The possible induction of strongman leader Anant Singh into the JD(U) has triggered objections within the party ahead of the Bihar assembly elections.

Singh, the Bahubali leader from Mokama, is expected to join the JD(U) soon. Last month, he held a roadshow with Union minister Lalan Singh in Mokama and later met chief minister Nitish Kumar at the residence of state minister Ashok Choudhary in Patna. His wife, Neelam Devi, is an RJD MLA who supported the NDA during the no-confidence motion in January last year.

However, not all JD(U) leaders are on board. Party spokesperson and senior leader Neeraj Kumar voiced his reservations over Singh's candidature. "He is not even a member of the party. How can he contest elections? Due to his criminal background, he was jailed several times by the Nitish Kumar government itself. The party should refrain from inducting such people, which can damage the image of our leader. Anant Singh is the only person who alleged that Nitish Kumar sells tickets in elections-something not even the opposition has said," he told ET. Neeraj Kumar, currently an MLC, is also eyeing the Mokama seat.