Patna: In a major disciplinary move ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the Janata Dal (United) on Saturday expelled 11 leaders, including four former MLAs, on charges of anti-party activities.
Those expelled include former minister Shailesh Kumar, former MLC Sanjay Prasad, former MLA Shyam Bahadur Singh, former MLC Ranvijay Singh, former MLA Sudarshan Kumar, Amar Kumar Singh, Asma Parveen (JD(U)’s former candidate from Mahua), Luv Kumar, Asha Suman, Divyanshu Bhardwaj, and Vivek Shukla.
Party sources said the decision was taken after several of these leaders either defied the party line or entered the electoral fray as independents following denial of tickets. The move signals JD(U)’s effort to reinforce discipline within its ranks as it prepares for a tough contest in the upcoming polls.
Shailesh Kumar, who served as a minister in the Nitish Kumar government, had lost the 2020 Assembly election from Jamalpur and is now contesting as an independent. Similarly, Shyam Bahadur Singh, the former MLA from Barharia in Siwan, was denied a ticket this time and subsequently decided to contest independently.
A senior JD(U) leader said, “The party cannot tolerate indiscipline or activities that weaken its collective strength, especially during elections. These actions send a message that loyalty and organisation come first.”
The expulsions reflect growing internal friction within the JD(U) over ticket distribution, as several local leaders have voiced dissatisfaction with the candidate selection process. However, the party leadership maintains that the decisions are aimed at “preserving ideological unity and organisational focus.”
The JD(U), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is contesting the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections as part of the NDA alliance, alongside the BJP and HAM (Secular), positioning itself as a party of governance and stability against the opposition Grand Alliance spearheaded by the RJD and Congress.
