Patna: The induction of senior Janata Dal (United) leader RCP Singh in the Modi 2.0 Cabinet has caused ripples in the party. However, party leaders are quick to dismiss such an allegation saying that JDU is united and there is no problem anywhere.
The stir within the JDU has given way to a possible formation of a new faction. Political observers are speculating that Lalan Singh's meeting with Upendra Kushwaha is an indication in this direction. Earlier, Kushwaha had stated that it was RCP Singh's independent decision to join the Cabinet and Nitish Kumar has no role in it. Kushwaha's statement in media has indicated that Singh is taking a path parallel to Nitish Kumar in the NDA.
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Soon after the formation of the Narendra Modi government in 2019, Nitish Kumar was offered one cabinet berth to JDU but he had rejected the offer terming it a symbolic representation. However, this time RCP Singh choose that seat for himself and became a minister.
Meanwhile, JDU leader and MP Lalan Singh was sure that he would be getting a reward for playing a crucial role in the split of the LJP in the form of becoming the Union Cabinet Minister. But dreams got shattered when RCP Singh got inducted into the Cabinet. According to sources, Lalan Singh and Nitish Kumar are very upset with RCP Singh's decision.
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Senior journalist Arun Pandey believes that the current situation is not a good sign for JDU and the opposition has got a major issue to target the state government. "RJD and Congress can see that there is a lot of resentment inside JDU and a huge explosion is expected soon. A section of the upper castes in JDU feels neglected after Lalan Singh did not get a place in Cabinet but everyone is mum on the issue and the party leadership claims that JDU is united," Pandey said.
"Displeasure is brewing among JDU members as neither Nitish Kumar congratulated RCP Singh nor did Lalan Singh. Lalan Singh is considered a close aide to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. At times, both the leaders have been seen managing crises within the party. It is believed that Lalan Singh has played a crucial role in the split of the LJP. It was very much evident from the fact when he was seen hobnobbing with LJP MPs in Delhi along with other JDU MLC Sanjay Singh at the time of the coup in the party," he added.
Under such circumstances, if the matter is not resolved then JDU might also face a split among two factions, Arun Pandey stated.
