Union Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and RCP Singh resigned on Wednesday, a day before the end of their tenure as members of the Rajya Sabha.
One of the main Muslim faces of the BJP, Naqvi looked set for a “new assignment”, and an announcement to that effect is awaited, sources said. With Naqvi’s exit, there is no Muslim member in the Modi Cabinet.
Singh, a JD(U) leader, was denied a Rajya Sabha renomination by party supremo and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. His resignation is a clear signal that the BJP leadership does not want to upset Nitish Kumar at a time when the relationship between the JD(U) and the BJP is hitting a new low every day in Bihar.
Singh has made no secret of his growing closeness with the BJP and was even warmly received by the BJP workers at Hyderabad where the ruling party held its National Executive meeting.
The JD(U) leadership is keeping a close eye on Singh. The Nitish camp suspects that he could try to do a Maharashtra in Bihar by trying to break the JD(U) or help the RJD in dislodging Nitish-led alliance Government in Bihar.
A section in the BJP feels that it was high time when Nitish was shown the door even at the cost of installing an RJD regime in Bihar. This scenario could end Nitish Kumar’s bargaining power and free the BJP from his shackles, BJP leaders feel.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is understood to have lauded Naqvi and Singh for their contribution to the country and the people during the Cabinet meeting.