Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, widely known as Lalan Singh, made a definitive statement on Sunday. He completely ruled out any possibility of former Union minister RCP Singh returning to the Janata Dal (United) party. Lalan Singh declared that individuals like RCP Singh have absolutely no place within the JD(U).
Speculation Put to Rest
These strong remarks came amidst intense speculation in Bihar's political circles. For days, there had been talk that RCP Singh might stage a dramatic comeback to the party he once served. Lalan Singh, speaking to reporters in Lakhisarai district, put all such rumors to rest.
He holds the portfolios for fisheries, animal husbandry, dairying, and panchayati raj in the Union government. The minister explained his position clearly. He stated the JD(U) has no room for any person who actively weakened the party's strength.
Pointing to Past Performance
Lalan Singh pointed to specific numbers to support his argument. He reminded everyone that under certain leadership, the party's tally in the assembly had dropped sharply. It fell from a strong position of 72 seats down to just 42 seats. He contrasted this with the party's current resurgence.
"The people of Bihar have now pushed the JD(U) forward again," Lalan Singh said. He noted the party's seat count has rebounded powerfully to 85 seats. He credited this success to the dedication of the party's loyal workers and the renewed trust of the electorate.
Contrasting Recent Comments
Lalan Singh's firm stance creates a direct contrast with events from just last week. RCP Singh had publicly expressed deep gratitude towards Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. During a traditional 'chura-dahi' feast in Patna, RCP Singh described Nitish Kumar as his "guardian."
He praised the Chief Minister's development work in Bihar, calling it historic. RCP Singh also emphasized his long-standing personal connection, claiming a close relationship with Nitish Kumar spanning 25 years.
Mixed Signals from the Party
The speculation about a return gained significant momentum earlier. A senior JD(U) legislator, Shyam Rajak, had extended an open invitation to RCP Singh. Rajak, a former minister, described the JD(U) as RCP Singh's home and said he was welcome to return anytime.
Further adding fuel to the rumors, posters suddenly appeared outside the JD(U) party office in Patna. These posters warmly welcomed RCP Singh back to the party fold. However, Lalan Singh's unequivocal statement has now effectively silenced all that buzz.
Currently, RCP Singh is associated with Prashant Kishor's political initiative, Jan Suraaj. His level of activity within that organization is reported to be relatively low. The political drama underscores the ongoing dynamics and internal assessments within Bihar's ruling party.
