Launch own party: Anant Singh's Plan B after JDU expulsion

Anant Singh announced plans to form his own party after his expulsion from the JDU. He denied Nitish Kumar ordered the move and said the public would judge those responsible.Anant Singh plans own party after JDU ouster, says Nitish didn't order expulsion (Photo: PTI)Patna,Oct 26, 2026 17:09 ISTExpelled Janata Dal (United) MLA Anant Singh on Sunday announced plans to form his own political party, days after the Bihar ruling party expelled him and his wife, former MLA Neelam Devi, for six years over alleged anti-party activities.Asked about his next political move, Singh said, “Apna hi party banayenge na!” (We'll form our own party, then!). His expulsion followed a prolonged dispute with the JDU leadership over the Patna Graduates' constituency election to the Bihar Legislative Council, in which he openly campaigned for Jan Suraaj Party candidate Anuj Singh against the JDU's nominee, sitting MLC Neeraj Kumar.Singh and Neeraj have been political rivals for years. Singh had alleged that Neeraj worked against him in previous elections and continued campaigning against the JDU candidate despite efforts by senior party leaders to persuade him to back the official nominee.WHY JDU EXPELLED ANANT SINGHThe JDU expelled Singh and Neelam Devi for six years, citing alleged anti-party activities. The action followed Singh's support for Anuj Singh in the Patna Graduates' constituency MLC election, in defiance of the party's decision to field Neeraj Kumar. The party also cited alleged insulting remarks against senior leaders and repeated defiance of its directives. It has sought Singh's disqualification as an MLA under the anti-defection provisions of the Constitution.SAYS NITISH KUMAR WAS NOT BEHIND EXPULSIONDespite his differences with the party leadership, Singh maintained that he had consistently stood by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and made sacrifices for the JDU. He claimed the expulsion was not ordered by Nitish and suggested that other leaders were responsible for the decision. Asked about a video reportedly showing senior JDU leader Lalan Singh meeting Nitish Kumar, Anant Singh said he did not know the details of the meeting. He also questioned why he had been targeted despite his loyalty to the party.Singh made pointed remarks about the party's leadership, suggesting that its future would be uncertain without Nitish Kumar at the helm. He also alluded to political dealings in Delhi and Mumbai but did not provide details to substantiate his insinuations.CLAIMS HE HELPED SAVE BIHAR GOVERNMENTSingh further claimed that he had helped save the Bihar government when it was facing the prospect of collapse. Recalling the episode, he said Ashok Choudhary had asked Samrat Choudhary who would save the government at a time when it was in danger. Singh claimed he had stepped in to help keep it afloat.His announcement of plans to form a separate party marks a fresh rupture in his relationship with the JDU. However, he has maintained that his differences are with the party leadership and that Nitish Kumar was not behind his expulsion.- Ends