GOVIND

The legislator of the same party whose candidate is in the fray declares the victory of the opponent standing against him—what bigger twist could there be in Bihar politics..! In the Patna Graduate constituency election on Thursday, JD(U) MLA Anant Singh played exactly such a political move. While JD(U) has made Neeraj Kumar its official candidate, Anant Singh openly aligned himself with Jan Suraj's candidate Dr. Anuj Kumar Singh. Moreover, on nomination day Anant Singh himself went out in an open vehicle with Anuj Singh and displayed power among his supporters.

When the nomination convoy left the Karpuri Banquet Hall on Daroga Rai Path in Patna, the picture changed the entire electoral contest. Dr. Anuj Singh rode in Anant Singh's open jeep, accompanied by the incumbent MLA himself. Amid a crowd of supporters and slogans, the convoy became a clear display of political strength.

The incident did not stop there. Allegedly, 50,000 rasgullas were prepared at Anant Singh's residence. They were to be distributed among supporters and the public on the nomination occasion. Thus, while there was a formal nomination program on one hand, the entire atmosphere on the other was saturated with power displays and political messaging.

Anant Singh has already announced that he will support Jan Suraj's Anuj Singh instead of JD(U)'s official candidate Neeraj Kumar. When journalists asked him who he stands with, given that Nitish Kumar is with Neeraj Kumar, Anant Singh replied in his own style that he has no concern for anyone else and his candidate's victory is certain. He also said that he has never been defeated and that the entire Patna will be visible in Anuj Singh's nomination.

This statement has now become the biggest political reason behind the entire episode. Because the contest is no longer just Jan Suraj versus JD(U). The fact that a JD(U) legislator is standing against his own party's candidate with another contender makes this election particularly interesting. It is being reported that the tension between Anant Singh and JD(U) Legislative Council candidate Neeraj Kumar has now reached the party's top leadership. State president Umesh Kushwaha and minister Shravan Kumar met former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday and briefed him on the whole episode. Nevertheless, Anant Singh has not backed down from his decision.

On the other hand, looking at Dr. Anuj Kumar Singh's political journey, he has been associated with the education sector. He is said to be linked with Modern Group of Institutes and Modern English School and holds a PhD in resource geography. Before entering politics, he was also associated with the Congress and served as vice‑president of the Navada District Congress. Later he joined Jan Suraj. In the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election, he contested from the Navada assembly seat on a Jan Suraj ticket, although he did not win.

Now the same Anuj Singh is clapping in front of JD(U)'s official candidate Neeraj Kumar in the Patna Graduate constituency. Anant Singh's open support for him makes the contest even more complex. On one side is the party's official candidate; on the other side is a legislator of the same party openly supporting the rival camp's candidate—this Patna Graduate seat election has become not just an electoral contest but also a testing ground for power, equations, and political influence within JD(U). From the open jeep to the 50,000 rasgullas, the showdown has already heated Patna politics on the very day of nomination.