JD(U) MLA Anant Singh triggers controversy in Bihar after claiming he “got nine people murdered” while backing Nitish Kumar during an earlier political period. Multiple outlets report that Singh made the remark during commentary ahead of Patna Graduates’ MLC election, where the seat is contested amid heightened tensions within the opposition bloc.
As the controversy grows, Singh later retracts and says his statement was misrepresented. He clarifies that he meant nine of his associates were killed during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as chief minister, not that he personally arranged murders. JD(U) rejects the allegations, with party spokespersons dismissing the comment as internal dissatisfaction and arguing that Nitish Kumar’s long public career has not been linked to such wrongdoing.
The opposition, including the RJD, frames Singh’s initial claim as evidence of violence connected to Nitish Kumar and calls for accountability. Outlets differ mainly on emphasis—some foreground the shock of the original “nine murders” allegation, while others focus on Singh’s subsequent explanation and JD(U)’s denial in the lead-up to the October 23 voting.