RCP Singh
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Speculation has been rife for some time over the possible return of former Union minister RCP Singh to the Janata Dal (United) {JD(U)}. Singh himself had recently praised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and hinted that clarity would emerge after Kharmas. However, Union minister and former JD(U) national president Lalan Singh has now responded openly and firmly to the issue.
Lalan Singh said there was no place in the party for leaders who had pushed it towards decline. Reacting to questions on RCP Singh’s possible comeback, he said that Singh was the same person under whose leadership the JD(U) tally in the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections fell from 74 seats to just 42.
He added that the people of Bihar and dedicated party workers had restored the party’s strength by taking Nitish Kumar back to 85 seats in the 2025 elections. “The party no longer needs such people,” the Union minister said, remarking that those responsible for reducing the party from 72 or 74 seats to 42 had no role to play now.
Lalan Singh also commented on reports of Jan Suraj founder Prashant Kishor rejoining the JD(U). Taking a sharp dig, he said Kishor was the same person who had once claimed he would “wipe out” Nitish Kumar and had even announced that he would quit politics if the JD(U) secured more than 25 seats. “Is he still doing politics now?” Singh asked sarcastically, adding that the party neither recognises nor needs such individuals.
The renewed discussion began after both Nitish Kumar and RCP Singh attended a chura-dahi feast in Patna. Although the two did not meet, RCP Singh told reporters that he shared a relationship of more than 25 years with the Chief Minister and that they were not separated. On being asked about his return to the JD(U), he had said one should wait until Kharmas ends, after which the answer would become clear.
RCP Singh has earlier served the JD(U) as organisational general secretary and national president. He later became a minister in the Narendra Modi government but left the party following differences with Nitish Kumar. After quitting the JD(U), he joined the BJP, though he later parted ways and floated his own party. Just ahead of the recent Assembly elections, he merged his party with Jan Suraaj.
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