Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, May 29
In a significant political development, Bihar’s ruling Janata Dal (United) today denied to renominate Steel Minister RCP Singh to the Rajya Sabha.
Singh’ was eyeing a third term to the Upper House of Parliament as his term would end In July this year. Instead, JD (U) has decided to field Khiru Mahto, President of Jharkhand unit of party as its candidate.
The move is seen as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar literally sacking his former Principal Secretary RCP Singh, an IAS officer of 1984 batch by denying him renomination to Rajya Sabha. Kumar has sent a strong message to Singh who was also his special assistant when he was railway minister.
National president of JD (U) Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lallan Singh said now RCP would work like an honoured party worker only. Lallan Singh, while announcing the name of Khiru Mahto, said RCP had been a member of Rajya Sabha for two terms.
JD (U) had given enough importance to RCP for the last two decades; he was party’s national president too. Asked about the continuation of RCP in the union cabinet, Singh said it was for the Prime Minister to decide, He reiterated RCP had been given enough by the JDU.
Differences between Nitish and RCP had started in July, 2021 when ignoring the suggestion that Nitish took oath as union minister. Nitish wanted three seats in the union cabinet.
The BJP too announced the names of two candidates, sitting member Satish Chandra Dubey and a former JDU leader, Shambhu Sharan Patel, who had joined the BJP recently. BJP rejected the claim of its second sitting member, Gopal Narain Singh.
RJD has fielded Ms Misa Bharti, sitting member and eldest daughter of Lalu Prasad Yadav for the third term and a former MLA, Faiyaz Ahmad. Sharad Yadav was also a claimant, but Lalu preferred his daughter over Sharad.
Polling to fill the five seats will be held on June 10.
