Major setback for JDU ahead of MLC elections; Neeraj Kumar’s health takes a sudden turn for the worse.
Patna. Janata Dal United (JDU) has suffered a major setback before the elections to be held on eight Legislative Council seats in Bihar. The health of party candidate and senior leader Neeraj Kumar from Patna Graduate constituency has suddenly deteriorated. After health related problems, he has been admitted to Medanta Hospital in Patna. According to media reports, he has been kept in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital. It is being told that Neeraj Kumar is suffering from heart related problem. However, no detailed medical bulletin has been released by the hospital regarding his current health condition. The news of his hospitalization just before voting for the Assembly Council elections has created a stir in political circles.
Admitted to hospital after sudden health deterioration
According to the information received, after the health of senior JDU leader Neeraj Kumar suddenly deteriorated, he was taken to Medanta Hospital for treatment. Seeing his health condition, the doctors there admitted him to the ICU.
Media reports have claimed that he is suffering from heart related problems. Neeraj Kumar has faced heart related problems in the past also. In such a situation, special care is being taken regarding his health.
At present, detailed official information regarding his health improvement status, probable date of discharge from the hospital and further treatment is not available.
Legislative Council elections to be held on October 23
Voting for eight seats of Bihar Legislative Council is to be held on 23 October 2026. According to the Election Commission announcement, voting will take place from 8 am to 4 pm, while counting of votes is scheduled for October 27.
These eight seats include four graduates and four teachers constituencies. These include Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut and Kosi graduate constituencies and Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut and Saran teacher constituencies.
The tenure of the current members of these seats is going to end on November 16. For this reason elections are being held. According to the election schedule, the entire process is to be completed by October 31.
Neeraj Kumar contesting from Patna graduate seat
Neeraj Kumar is among the senior leaders of Janata Dal United. He has also been the chief spokesperson of the party and a minister in the Bihar government.
This time JDU has again made him a candidate from Patna Graduate constituency. The party had announced its four candidates for the elections for teacher and graduate constituencies on September 23.
Political discussions were already intense regarding the candidature of Neeraj Kumar. Differences have also emerged within the party on this seat.
His hospitalization in the final phase of the election campaign may impact personal election activities. However, the party has not yet made any clear announcement regarding the change in its campaign programme.
Have had heart problems before
Neeraj Kumar’s health has been in the news earlier also. In the year 2022, he was admitted to Medanta Hospital in Patna due to heart related problem.
At that time the doctors had fitted him with a pacemaker. Later, when health related problems increased, he was sent to Hyderabad by air ambulance for better treatment.
According to old reports, during that time he had complained of irregular heartbeat and restlessness.
However, the disease of the year 2022 and the current situation cannot be considered the same. This time, the real reasons for his deteriorating health and his medical condition can be confirmed only from the latest report of the hospital.
Patna seat is in discussion due to Anant Singh’s opposition
Patna Graduate constituency is among the popular seats of Bihar Legislative Council elections. The main reason for this is the ongoing political differences between JDU leader Neeraj Kumar and Mokama MLA Anant Singh.
Anant Singh has openly opposed JDU’s official candidate Neeraj Kumar. He has supported Jan Suraj Party candidate Anuj Singh.
There has been a long standing political rivalry between Anant Singh and Neeraj Kumar. Due to the differences between the two leaders coming to the fore in this election, the party leadership has also faced a challenge.
According to political analysts, such differences could affect election campaigning and organizational coordination. However, its actual electoral impact will be clear only after the counting of votes.
Challenge of election campaign before JDU
The news of Neeraj Kumar’s deteriorating health has come at a time when only three days are left for the voting for the Legislative Council elections.
Candidate’s activism is important in the last phase of election campaign. During this period, contact with voters, meetings of workers and organizational activities remain intense.
At such a time, due to Neeraj Kumar’s hospitalization, the party may have to change its campaign strategy.
However, other leaders of JDU and NDA are already running election campaigns in his support.
In the meeting of NDA workers held in Danapur on October 18, an appeal was made to work unitedly in support of Neeraj Kumar.
Contest between several parties on eight seats
Candidates from various political parties including JDU, BJP, RJD and Jan Suraj Party are in the fray in the Bihar Legislative Council elections.
JDU’s Neeraj Kumar, RJD’s Dilip Patel and Jan Suraj’s Anuj Singh are among the prominent candidates in Patna graduates constituency.
In this election, registered voters of graduate and teacher constituencies will elect their representatives.
Importance of Legislative Council elections