A massive political storm has erupted in Bihar after controversial Janata Dal (United) MLA Anant Kumar Singh claimed on camera that he had masterminded the murders of nine people to support Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during his early political struggles.
The startling declaration has triggered sharp reactions across party lines, forcing the ruling JDU to issue a quick public disclaimer and leading opposition parties to demand an immediate investigation.
Conflict Over Legislative Council Nominations
The controversy stems from internal party friction surrounding the upcoming Bihar Legislative Council (MLC) elections, scheduled for October 23, 2026. Anant Singh, a influential political figure from Mokama, expressed deep anger after JDU fielded his long-time rival Neeraj Kumar as a candidate.
In an outburst directed at Neeraj Kumar and party leadership, Singh remarked:
”Nitish Kumar and I go back a long way. To help him, I got nine people murdered. I stood by him in times when he was struggling to find a toehold.”
Singh questioned why the party chose to nominate an adversary who had actively opposed him in past elections, emphasizing the personal and political sacrifices he made to build the party’s presence in the region.
Backtrack: Blaming the RJD Era
Following widespread backlash, Anant Singh issued a swift retraction, claiming his statement was misunderstood and pivoting his accusation toward Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav.
- The Retraction: Singh clarified that he was referring to casualties suffered by his own camp during the previous RJD administration.
- Singh’s Statement: “I was trying to say that during the Lalu Yadav government, nine of my associates were killed, and I myself was shot. It was because we aligned ourselves with Nitish Kumar that Lalu Yadav had them killed… But I was misunderstood.”
Political Backlash & JDU Response
Despite Singh’s attempt to course-correct, political opponents seized on the initial statement to attack the state government’s law-and-order record.
- RJD’s Attack: RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav called the statement an explicit confession of political violence, alleging that state power was built through alliances with criminal syndicates across Mokama, Motihari, and Muzaffarpur.
- JDU’s Stand: JDU National Spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad distanced the party from the comments, stating that Nitish Kumar maintains an untainted record against violence and crime. The party emphasized that the remarks do not deserve official credence or public consideration.
With voting for eight Bihar Legislative Council seats fast approaching on October 23 and vote counting set for October 27, the row has intensified the political atmosphere across the state.
