Bihar MLC polls: JD(U) faces opposition; RLM to support its own candidate

Former Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar. Image used for representational purposes only. | Photo credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

Three out of four MLAs of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) – the NDA’s ruling ally in Bihar – have decided to support their party’s own candidate Ram Pukar Sinha in the Saran Teachers constituency for the upcoming Legislative Council elections instead of JD(U) candidate Anand Pushkar.

One of the rebel MLAs, Anand Madhav, said the decision was taken out of “respect” for party workers. He claimed that the MLAs will stay with the NDA. The fourth RLM MLA, Snehlata Kushwaha, is the wife of RLM chief and Rajya Sabha member Upendra Kushwaha.

Mr. Anant Singh, who is considered close to Mr. Lalan Singh, can take the final decision to end the rift, otherwise the party may take action against him. Mr. Anant Singh announced his support to opposition party candidate Jan Suraaj Anuj Kumar Singh.

Mr. Neeraj Kumar, the JD(U) candidate from the Patna Graduate constituency, is considered close to Mr. Nitish Kumar, who recently endorsed his candidature for the upcoming Legislative Council elections. Meanwhile, Mr. Neeraj Kumar left his residence on Monday to file nomination papers.

Meanwhile, JD(U) MP from Munger and Union Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh spoke to media persons before leaving for Delhi.

“I spoke to party MLA Anant Singh today and he too has some reservations and issues which the party has not addressed before…when Mr. Singh contested the state assembly polls from Mokama, misinformation was spread against him but the party disciplinary committee did not take any action against that person (party’s official council poll candidate Neeraj Kumar) so he said he too will not campaign for him.”

“Despite everything I asked him (Lalan Singh) not to make any public statement against the party or the candidate and he agreed to do so,” he said.

Earlier, former state chief minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar met Mr Lalan Singh, in which he is believed to have urged Mr Singh to broker peace between the leaders of the two warring parties.

JD(U) national working president Sanjay Jha had also earlier said that he had urged party MP and union minister Lalan Singh to end the rift between the two leaders.

Elections to the eight seats in the Bihar Legislative Council – which fall vacant on November 16 – are scheduled for October 23. BJP and JD(U) have fielded candidates on four seats. The NDA’s other ruling allies — Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) — have announced their support for NDA candidates.

October 6 is the deadline for submitting nominations. Some BJP candidates, including Nawal Kishore Yadav from the Patna Teachers constituency, are also scheduled to file their nomination papers on Monday, October 5.

Published – 5 Oct 2026 12:29 PM IST