Senior Janata Dal (United) leader Lalan Singh has firmly shut down any possibility of former Union minister RCP Singh rejoining the party. He made his position clear on Sunday, stating there is absolutely no place for someone he holds responsible for damaging the party's electoral fortunes.
Direct Blame for 2020 Election Setback
Lalan Singh, who is also a Union minister, pointed directly to the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections. He recalled how the JD-U's seat tally plummeted dramatically in that poll. The party managed to win only 43 seats, a sharp decline from the 71 seats it had secured in the previous election.
At that crucial time, RCP Singh served as the party's national general secretary in charge of organisation. Lalan Singh's comments link RCP Singh's leadership role to the party's disappointing performance, suggesting a failure in strategy or management.
Speculation Fuelled by Community Event
The remarks come amid renewed political chatter in Bihar. This speculation was triggered after RCP Singh, now the leader of the Jan Suraaj Party, attended a Patel community event. The Kurmi community gathering was also attended by Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U president Nitish Kumar, adding fuel to the rumours of a potential political reunion.
When journalists asked Lalan Singh about his once-fierce rival possibly returning to the JD-U fold, his response was blunt and unequivocal. "There is no vacancy in the party," he declared, leaving no room for interpretation.
Dismissive Stance on Prashant Kishor
The senior leader also addressed questions about another former JD-U figure, poll strategist Prashant Kishor. Kishor now leads the Jan Suraaj Party, which recently merged with RCP Singh's outfit.
Lalan Singh appeared dismissive of Kishor's potential return as well. He rhetorically asked, "Who is he?" and reminded everyone of Kishor's past criticism of the JD-U. "Wasn't he the same person who used to say that he would reduce JD(U) to rubble and it would not get more than 25 seats," Singh questioned.
He contrasted those predictions with the party's subsequent success. "But people took it to 85 seats," he noted, referring to a later election performance. Lalan Singh also referenced Kishor's past statements about quitting politics, casting doubt on his current standing and intentions.
RCP Singh's Political Journey
RCP Singh, a former IAS officer, was once considered a close confidant of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. His political path has seen several twists:
- He served as a Union minister in the central government.
- He quit the JD-U in August 2022 to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
- He later left the BJP to form his own political outfit called 'Aap Saabki Aawaz'.
- Ahead of the November Assembly polls, his party merged with Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party.
- The united Jan Suraaj Party failed to win any seats in the recent elections.
Recently, at the Kurmi community event, RCP Singh made a statement that sparked the latest round of speculation. He said, "There is no difference between Nitish Kumar and me, and both were one," hinting at a continued ideological alignment with his former mentor.
Reactions from Other Quarters
While RCP Singh has not yet responded publicly to Lalan Singh's strong rejection, a leader from the Jan Suraaj Party offered a counterpoint regarding Prashant Kishor. The JSP leader questioned the premise of the discussion, asking, "When did Prashant Kishor say he would join JD (U)?"
He suggested that Kishor remains focused on his own political agenda, stating the leader would "take people's questions more strongly than ever before." This indicates that the Jan Suraaj Party is not necessarily seeking a merger but is preparing to continue its independent political journey.
The public dismissal by a senior Union minister from the JD-U highlights the internal tensions and historical grievances within Bihar's political landscape. It sets a clear boundary for any potential negotiations and underscores the lasting impact of the 2020 electoral defeat on party dynamics.
