Patna: JD(U) legislator from Mokama assembly seat Anant Singh sparked a controversy on Friday by claiming he had “got nine people murdered” while working with former CM Nitish Kumar, but later retracted the statement amid criticism from the party and opposition.The six-time MLA made the remark amid a political rift over the Patna Graduates’ MLC election, in which he is backing Prashant Kishor’s candidate against JD(U)’s Neeraj Kumar.“Who has made so many sacrifices as I have? Nitish Kumar was nothing back then; he used to roam around here and there. At that time, while being with Nitish Kumar, I got nine people murdered,” he told the reporters.As the video of his statement went viral, Anant clarified his remarks later in the day.“During the Lalu Prasad regime, nine of my associates were killed, and I myself was shot. It was because we aligned ourselves with Nitish Kumar that Lalu had them killed. We have suffered such immense losses. My father also passed away due to a heart attack,” he said.The RJD sought an explanation from Nitish over the statement. RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav said, “Anant has publicly confessed to killing nine persons during the NDA regime. Now Nitish will have to offer explanations.”“Although he (Anant) has confessed to his involvement in nine murders, the responsibility straightaway goes to Nitish regime…Is paap se chhutkara nahin milekga (There will be no escape from this sin),” Yadav said.The JD(U) dismissed the controversy. Party spokesperson Shyam Rajak said, “Anant’s statement is the reflection of his frustration.”
