RPN Singh, one of the Congress's most prominent leaders in Uttar Pradesh and party Jharkhand in-charge quit the party today and crossed over to the BJP ahead of next month's election in the Uttar Pradesh. He is likely to contest the UP polls from his stronghold Padrauna, from where he has been elected MLA thrice. RPN Singh, one of Congress party OBC face in Congress is likely compensate BJP loss of Swami Prasad Maurya. Swami Prasad Maurya, last week joined Samajwadi Party (SP) charging BJP of not giving OBC due representation in party.
The affect of RPN Singh crossing over to BJP fold in UP will be found on March 10, when the results will be discovered, but the switch over of Congress in-charge in Jharkhand has once affected in party. RPN Singh, was one of longest serving in-charge of party affairs and he knew all the strength and weakness of party in State.
In 2017, when there was internal tussle between senior Congressmen in party and Congress in Jharkhand was divided in several fractions, RPN Singh was made the party in-charge of Jharkhand. Singh as in-charge of party affairs not only worked in strengthening the party but also with iron hand checked factionalism within the party.
RPN Singh was one of the architects of Mahagathbandhan brining JMM/Congress and RJD in one fold. The Mahagathbandhan in 2019 assembly election made spectacular performance winning 47 seats. Singh played key role in government performance with Congress getting key cabinet portfolios including finance, rural development, health and agriculture.
“As RPN Singh has worked with four Congress state presidents, he knew the party strength and weakness. Despite being party in-charge there are many Congress leaders who are supporters of him. In such situation the political ramifications within the party will seen in coming days, “ said a Congress leader requesting anonymity.
Meanwhile, State Congress president Rajesh Thakur has reacted strongly over resignation of RPN Singh from party. Thakur said, “Congress party is fighting the battle of truth under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. This fight requires courage and strength. RPN Singh’s decision to leave the party is not going have any effect and it is wrong decision full of selfishness.” He further said, “The Congress party does not run because of particular person, but because of its ideology and because of millions of workers like us. It doesn't matter the respect given by Congress to him, that respect will not be available in BJP.”
Meanwhile, a section of Congress leadership in state has accused RPN Singh of toppling JMM/Congress government in state. A Congress leader said, “RPN Singh was on mission to unstable government. His going to BJP will not have any affect in Jharkhand.”
Congress leadership have also term the resignation of RPN Singh as failure of Congress central leadership. A Congress leader said, “Party workers are confused. It is failure of Central leadership to keep an eye on their senior leaders. The incident has exposed the weakness of the central leadership and something needs to be done there to strengthen the Congress.”