In a dramatic political development, former Union Minister and senior BJP leader RK Singh resigned from the party on Saturday, just hours after receiving a suspension notice for alleged anti-party activities. The sudden exit comes amid growing tensions between Singh and the party leadership, particularly following the NDA's sweeping victory in the Bihar assembly elections.
The Suspension and Immediate Resignation
The Bharatiya Janata Party issued a suspension notice to Singh on Saturday morning, accusing him of serious indiscipline and anti-party activities. The party claimed his actions had caused significant harm to the organization and gave him one week to submit a reply explaining why he should not be expelled from the party.
However, in a swift countermove, Singh submitted his resignation to BJP national president JP Nadda later the same day. The former minister made his decision public through a social media post, stating: "I have sent my resignation to the party. The letter sent by me to the state office and the resignation sent to the honourable national president of the BJP are attached."
Singh's Defense Against Allegations
In his resignation letter, Singh strongly contested the BJP's allegations, arguing that his comments never amounted to anti-party activity. He specifically addressed what he believed triggered the suspension: "The show cause is probably because of my statement against the distribution of tickets to people with a criminal background."
The former minister defended his position as being in the larger interest of the nation, society, and the party itself. "The statement is not anti-party. It is in the interest of the nation, the society at large and the party to stop criminalisation of politics and to curb corruption," he wrote, adding that certain party members felt uncomfortable with his stance.
Singh also pointed out a significant flaw in the suspension notice: "The BJP's suspension letter does not specify the anti-party activities of which I have been accused. I cannot give a showcase against charges which have not been specified."
Background of Growing Tensions
The political rift between Singh and the BJP leadership had been widening for several months. The former MP from Arrah had been openly critical of both the BJP and the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar. His allegations reached a boiling point when he raised concerns about a potential scam in the commissioning of a power plant just days before the state went to polls, creating a political storm that strained alliance relationships.
Singh's political journey reflects a remarkable transition from bureaucracy to politics. As a 1975-batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, he previously served as home secretary under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and later as secretary in the Department of Defence Production. After retiring in 2013, he joined the BJP and achieved significant electoral success, winning the Arrah Lok Sabha seat in both 2014 and 2019.
During his tenure in the Modi government, Singh held several important portfolios:
- Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power and New & Renewable Energy (2017–2024)
- Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (2019–2024)
- He was elevated to Cabinet rank in July 2024
Political Implications and Future Outlook
The timing of Singh's resignation is particularly significant, coming just one day after the NDA's decisive victory in Bihar. This development highlights the ongoing internal challenges within the party despite their electoral success. Singh's departure represents the loss of a senior leader with substantial administrative experience and a strong track record in both bureaucracy and electoral politics.
This incident also underscores the broader issue of criminalization in politics, which Singh highlighted in his October Facebook post urging voters not to support leaders with criminal records. His stance, while controversial within party circles, reflects growing public concern about the intersection of crime and politics in India.
The rapid sequence of events—from suspension to resignation within hours—demonstrates the deepening divisions within the party's ranks and sets the stage for potential further political realignments in Bihar. As both the BJP and Singh navigate this separation, the political landscape in Bihar may witness significant changes in the coming weeks.
