Lalan Singh resigns as JD(U) president, Nitish to take over
Rajiv Ranjan Singh, alias Lalan Singh, has resigned as the Janata Dal (United)'s national president at a national executive meeting in New Delhi. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reportedly took over, but the decision awaits ratification at the JD(U)'s national council meeting later on Friday. This came amid a rumored internal rift over Singh's closeness to the JD(U)'s Bihar alliance partner—Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
Why does this story matter?
The JD(U) leader leadership could prove pivotal as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) continues to haggle on seat-sharing ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Reports said Kumar was unhappy with Singh's handling of the seat-sharing issue with the opposition bloc as he was not "coordinating effectively." However, it is important to note that Kumar is known to be a tough bargainer.
Singh informs Kumar he will be busy with elections
While Kumar and other JD(U) leaders previously reiterated that Friday's meeting was a regular, annual exercise, there were speculations of Singh stepping down. As per Bihar minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Singh—an MP from Munger—told CM Kumar that "he will be busy with elections." "So, he wants to hand over the post of party president to him, and [Kumar] accepted it," he stated.
Singh's move came amid growing rift
Singh's decision to step down follows his allegedly growing proximity to Lalu Yadav-led RJD. Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union minister Giriraj Singh talked about a possible RJD-JD(U) merger. Separately, RJD leader and Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav was said to take over the merged entity. However, Tejashwi debunked the rumors, accusing the BJP of "planting stories" to destabilize their alliance.
Kumar's prime ministerial ambitions
The latest development also comes amid Kumar's ostensible prime ministerial ambitions, although he has never admitted it in public. It was reported that Kumar—infamous for his mercurial temperament—was upset with Singh after the latter did not project his name as the opposition bloc's PM candidate. At the INDIA meeting last week, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee proposed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's name for the post.
Singh rubbishes rumors of rift
Speaking to the media after the party's meeting in New Delhi, Singh played down the rumors of an alleged internal rift in the JD(U). The outgoing JD(U) boss denied that he was angry with Kumar and the party. "Anger? What anger? Why should I be angry? This is the first time I am hearing this word," he claimed, per NDTV.
