In a significant political development, RCP Singh, once a close confidant of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and a former Union Minister, has charted a new political course by launching his own party, Aap Sab Ki Awaaz Party. Singh officially announced this new venture during a press conference in Patna on October 31, marking a new chapter in his political journey.
Significance of the Launch Date
Addressing the media, RCP Singh highlighted the symbolic importance of the launch date. October 31 is both Diwali and the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Singh used this occasion to underline his party’s goals and ideals, although he refrained from commenting on his past association with the Janata Dal (United) or JDU, led by Nitish Kumar. Once a prominent figure in the JDU, Singh’s ties with the party soured, eventually leading to his departure.
Ambitious Plans for Bihar Assembly Elections
RCP Singh has made his intentions clear regarding the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. He has announced that Aap Sab Ki Awaaz Party will contest up to 140 seats out of the 243 total seats in the assembly. Singh hinted at dissatisfaction with the current administration, indirectly criticizing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's policies, specifically targeting the state's liquor ban law and the declining state of government educational institutions.
RCP Singh served as PS to Nitish
RCP Singh hails from Nalanda, the same district as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and began his career as an IAS officer in the Uttar Pradesh cadre. During a central government posting, he crossed paths with Nitish Kumar, who was then the Railway Minister. Impressed by Singh’s administrative skills, Nitish invited him to join his team in Bihar, where Singh served as his Principal Secretary after the JD(U) came to power in 2005. This close association saw Singh rise through the ranks within the JDU.
The Breakdown of Relations with Nitish Kumar
The once-strong alliance between Nitish Kumar and RCP Singh began to fracture in 2021. Singh, who had joined JDU in 2010 following his voluntary retirement from the civil services, was twice elected to the Rajya Sabha. However, tensions emerged when Singh accepted a ministerial role in the central government, joining the Narendra Modi-led cabinet without Nitish Kumar’s endorsement. This decision did not sit well with Nitish, who reportedly felt uneasy about Singh’s growing association with the BJP.
Rumors began circulating that Singh was plotting a split within the JDU, allegedly under BJP's influence. Consequently, he was forced to step down from his position as JDU national president, and his ministerial role was also cut short. Accusations of financial misappropriation further strained his relationship with the party, ultimately leading to his exit.
Joined BJP in May 2023
RCP Singh joined the BJP in May 2023 after parting ways with JDU. Initially, he maintained a low profile within the BJP, but as his political influence began to wane, he opted to establish his own party to better serve the people of the state. During his entry into the BJP, Nitish Kumar, who had become a significant political rival, was engaged in maneuvering within the Grand Alliance in August 2022. Singh believed that aligning with the BJP could provide him with a substantial role in countering Nitish Kumar's influence.
However, when RCP Singh did not get any organisational responsibility at the national or state level, he became disappointed. Then suddenly, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar joining the NDA, his political role also came to an end.
RCP Singh’s launch of Aap Sab Ki Awaaz Party marks a notable shift in Bihar's political landscape as he sets out to carve his own path ahead of the next assembly elections.
(PRAKASH KUMAR PANDEY)
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