Bihar Crisis: RCP Singh's Exit & Why It Hints a Split Between JD(U), BJP

Does the friction between the BJP-JDU signal a change in Bihar's ruling government?

RCP Singh and Nitish Kumar.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter)

After erstwhile Union Minister Ramchandra Prasad (RCP) Singh's exit from Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal United (JD(U), Bihar is on the threshold of political turmoil, with a split between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally on the horizon.

The friction among Singh, the Nitish Kumar administration's and their alliance partner BJP was earlier evidenced after he had to give up his union cabinet berth following denial of another Rajya Sabha term by the party.

The ex-JD(U) member had reportedly accepted the position without the party chief's consent.

What were the events leading up to Singh dropping out of the party, and does the widening friction between the BJP-JDU signal a change in Bihar's ruling government?

Here is all you need to know about the imminent crisis.

What Led to RCP Singh's Resignation?

On 6 August, hours before Singh tendered his resignation, the JD(U) had sought information on all the properties Singh had acquired in the last nine years, claiming that the party had found irregularities in the assets.

As per reports, the letter served to the party's former national president asked for details about 58 plots of land bought by Singh in the last few years, and questioned the acquisition of the wealth and the absence of this land from Singh's election affidavit.

Further, party's parliamentary board president Upendra Kushwaha indicated that the the political outfit had received information, which made the issue look like a prima facie corruption case.

The notice came a week after videos of him projecting himself as Bihar's future chief minister through slogans surfaced.

In view of the strengthening friction between Singh and the party, he held that the request was an "attempt to humiliate him."

Speaking to NDTV, he added that the properties in question "were bought by my wife or daughters who are income tax payers since 2010."

'Allegations Are a Conspiracy': RCP Singh's Exit 

Less than a day later after the notice was served, Singh announced his departure from the party.

Speaking to the press from his paternal home, the leader had stated, "The allegations are a conspiracy by those who envied my getting inducted into the Union cabinet. I would like to tell them that those living in glass houses must not hurl stones at others. I also hereby give up my primary membership of the party."

Further, a day after he left the ruling party, Singh called Nitish Kumar a "man full of vendetta", and accused the Bihar Chief Minister of "stooping low to target his (Singh's) daughters."

JDU's Response & What Followed

Furthermore, on 7 August, JD(U) national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan underplayed Singh's resignation, and evinced his growing proximity to the BJP.

"He may have left the party only yesterday. But for long his body was in the party and soul elsewhere," he said. Speaking on the speculations surrounding a division in the ruling alliance, he added that "all is well."

However, at the same time, Lalan, who is seen as a front runner by some for a ministerial berth from the JD(U) after RCP Singh's resignation, clarified that the party is not willing to have any representative in the Union Council of ministers.

"JD(U) did not get the respect it deserved in the Modi cabinet, therefore we will not join the Union Cabinet," JDU leader Vijay Kumar Choudhary was quoted as saying.

CM Nitish Kumar, meanwhile, skipped the Niti Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday - latest in a string of four BJP-led meeting that Kumar was absent from.

Kumar has now called a meeting of all JD(U) MPs and MLAs in Patna on Tuesday, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MPs and MLAs have been asked to gather in Patna as well on Tuesday.

What This Means for BJP, JDU & the Bihar Government

In view of the strained relationship between the BJP and the JD(U), reports have indicated that for most JD(U) MLAs, a split with the BJP and a subsequent tie-up with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and the left front is preferable over mid-term elections.

JD(U)'s corruption charges against the former Union Minister also point at their growing discontentment with the ruling party, and the BJP's closeness with its ministers.

At present, the RJD, with 75 seats, is the biggest party in Bihar; It is followed by the BJP (74), JD(U) (43) and the Congress (19).

The National Democratic Alliance, the ruling political group in the state, consists primarily of the BJP and JD(U). Meanwhile, RDJ, with members RJD and INC, along with left–wing parties make up the Mahagathbandhan, the main opposition party.

What RJD & Congress Say

On Monday, RJD national vice president Shivanand Tiwary said that the party was ready to “embrace” CM Nitish Kumar and his JD(U), if he broke ranks with the BJP.

RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha iterated, "We are the single largest party in Bihar. We can't see elements of instability in the state."

Meanwhile, the Congress convened a meeting of its legislature party in Bihar and said that it would "welcome" Kumar into the opposition camp if he severed ties with the BJP.

AICC secretary Shakil Ahmed Khan stated, "We always believe that parties with similar ideologies should come together. If the CM's JD(U), which believes in socialist ideology, quits BJP we will definitely welcome it. But these are early days. We will discuss the unfolding situation at the meeting in the evening."