Internal differences deepen in JDU after defeat

Patna: (ABN) News of internal differences and dissatisfaction has emerged in former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United (JDU) after losing three out of four seats in the Bihar Legislative Council. Reports suggest that the role of a minister in the Smriti Choudhary government was also discussed at the party's important meeting held in Patna last Thursday to review the election results.

According to sources, the said minister was accused of creating an environment against JDU candidate Neeraj Kumar from the Patna Graduate constituency and providing financial assistance to Jansuraj candidate Anuj Singh of Prashant Kishor's party. However, the name of the concerned minister has not yet come to light. It is worth mentioning that JDU had expelled MLA Anant Singh of Mokama from the party for six months last month for openly supporting Anuj Singh.

Now, political circles are abuzz with allegations that a minister in the Smriti Choudhary government has also deviated from the party and alliance's stance to help the Jansuraj candidate. Candidates from all four seats, election in-charge, MLAs from the relevant areas, and district presidents attended the review meeting held at JDU's state office. Party's Working National President Sanjay Jha and State President Amish Singh Kushwaha reviewed the election results of individual seats and reports received from the candidates. It is said that discussions regarding each seat were kept separate so that internal matters of one constituency do not reach the leaders of another constituency. Addressing the dissatisfaction arising in the party after the election defeat has now become a major challenge for the leadership.

On the other hand, JDU Council of Ministers member Neeraj Kumar, who won from the Patna Graduate constituency, also raised the issue of internal opposition and alleged lack of support from within the party during the election campaign at the review meeting. Initially, news emerged that Neeraj Kumar had filed a written complaint against Union Minister and JDU senior leader Lalan Singh, accusing him of supporting Jansuraj candidate Anuj Singh. However, the party denied these reports on Friday. JDU's National Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan clarified that no written complaint was filed against Lalan Singh at the review meeting, nor were any verbal allegations made. According to him, no statement was made during the meeting in this regard. According to sources, Neeraj Kumar only said that Lalan Singh, being an MP from Monghyar, is also associated with the Patna Graduate electoral constituency, but he did not participate in the election campaign during the MLA elections. It is clear that MLA Anant Singh of Mokama had openly supported Jansuraj candidate Anuj Singh while opposing Neeraj Kumar in the MLA elections. Following this, JDU had expelled Anant Singh from the party for six months. Neeraj Kumar secured a place in the Legislative Council for the fourth time by winning from the Patna Graduate constituency, while Anuj Singh remained in third place.

After losing three seats, questions are being raised about alleged lack of cooperation, internal opposition, and the role of allied parties in the election campaign, more than the performance of the candidates. However, the allegation that a minister in the Smriti government provided financial assistance to the Jansuraj candidate has currently emerged through sources; independent verification or the stance of the concerned minister is yet to come forward.