Patna, October 24 — The Janata Dal (United) has expelled Mokama MLA Anant Singh and his wife, former MLA Neelam Devi, from the party for six years, citing alleged anti-party activities and violations of party directives, Patna Press reported. JD(U) state president Umesh Singh Kushwaha issued the orders on Saturday, revoking the primary membership of both leaders with immediate effect.

Source: Patna Press

The party has also recommended to the Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly that Anant Singh's membership be acted against under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with disqualification on grounds of defection. The recommendation does not automatically disqualify Singh as an MLA — the final decision rests with the Assembly Speaker, Patna Press noted. IANS reported the party had written to the Speaker seeking action under the same provision.

Source: IANS via Hi India

According to the party, Singh repeatedly violated its directives, allegedly made derogatory remarks against senior leadership, opposed the party's candidate Neeraj Kumar in the Patna Graduates' constituency election for the Legislative Council, and campaigned in support of Anuj Singh, a candidate associated with Jan Suraaj, IANS reported. Report Wire gave a similar account of the party's order, describing the conduct as grave indiscipline.

Source: Report Wire

Singh had publicly clashed with JD(U) candidate Neeraj Kumar during the Council election. Asked on Friday about Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, popularly known as Lalan Singh, he said, according to Patna Press: 'Which Lalan Singh are you talking about? There are 100 Lalan Singhs in Bihar. I don't know him.' He also maintained that he remained loyal to Nitish Kumar and the party, saying he considered Nitish Kumar and the party to be his gods and would always remain loyal to Nitish-ji — remarks reported before Saturday's expulsion order.

Neelam Devi's primary membership was separately revoked and she was expelled for six years over her alleged involvement in anti-party activities, IANS reported. The expulsion is a party decision; any disqualification of Anant Singh from the Assembly would require a separate decision by the Speaker under the Tenth Schedule.