Ex-Union Minister RCP Singh announces decision to leave BJP, to form own party

RCP Singh joined the BJP in 2023 after leaving the JD(U). He left the Nitish Kumar-led party last year after the JD(U) sought an explanation on allegations of corruption levelled against him.

In Short

• Expressed frustration over not being assigned responsibilities in 18 months
• He denied returning to JD(U) despite good ties with party
• Plans to contest Bihar elections with new party

Former Union Minister and BJP leader RCP Singh announced on Saturday that he will be leaving the BJP and intends to establish his own political outfit shortly. He joined the BJP in 2023 after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) sought an explanation on allegations of corruption levelled against him.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, Singh revealed, "I have not got my BJP membership renewed, and it is for everyone to understand my intentions. I will very soon form my own political party."

He expressed frustration at not being assigned any significant responsibilities in the BJP over the past 18 months, stating, "I had communicated with the BJP leadership that since I have long experience of running a political organisation, they should use it for the benefit of the party, but BJP has a different style of functioning, and I appreciate it."

Singh's entry into the BJP was seen as a strategic move to counter Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's departure from the NDA and his subsequent alignment with the Mahagathbandhan in August 2022. However, following Kumar's return to the NDA in January 2024, Singh found himself politically isolated within the party.

When asked about the possibility of returning to his former party, Janata Dal United (JDU), Singh firmly rejected the idea. "Since I have my own political power, there is no need to return to Janata Dal United. I share a good relationship with Nitish Kumar even today, but there has been no effort for rapprochement between us," he said.

Soon after leaving JD(U) in 2023, Singh launched a scathing attack on Nitish Kumar, calling him a 'palti maar' (someone who switches allegiances).

RCP Singh had quit the JD(U) after the party sent him a notice over corruption allegations. "Nitish Kumar will not become Prime Minister in any of his seven lives," he said after his resignation, describing the JD(U) as a "sinking ship".

Looking ahead, RCP Singh indicated that his new party would consider contesting the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar, depending on the political landscape. "I will be floating my own political party very soon, and depending on the situation, my party would also take a decision to contest assembly elections in the state next year," he said.