Ram Chandra Prasad (RCP) Singh was appointed on Sunday the next national president of Janta Dal (United). A former IAS official, Singh had served as Nitish Kumar’s chief secretary in his previous term as prime minister and voluntarily retired in 2010 to be nominated for the party’s Rajya Sabha. He was re-elected to the Upper House in 2016 and has served as general secretary (Organization) of JD (U).
Why did Nitish Kumar choose PCP Singh over others?
RCP and Lok Sabha MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh, aka Lalan Singh, were often considered the number two leaders in the JD (U) hierarchy after Nitish Kumar. With the leader of the upper castes, Lalan Singh, now focused on national politics, the RCP was preferred for the highest position in the party.
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RCP has been active in the JD (U) organization for over a decade and has been looking after the party structure. An OBC Kurmi like Nitish Kumar, also hails from CM’s home district of Nalanda. With veterans like Bashistha Narayan Singh not keeping up well, RCP Singh seems to be the natural choice as well.
Does it mean that RCP is heir to Nitish Kumar?
RCP was the man who successfully resisted the rise of election strategist Prashant Kishore as JD (U) National Vice President, considered the number two spot for Nitish Kumar. He also resisted attempts by RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha to return to the party as number two. Now even if Kushwaha rejoins JD (U), the hierarchy is clear and he will have to report to a new national president in RCP.
What electoral value does RCP have?
The RCP is not a mass leader and has never been a public face of the party. He rose through the ranks due to his proximity to Nitish Kumar. By electing him as the party’s national chairman, Nitish Kumar has at best tried to reach his main constituency of Kurmi and Koeri, known as Luv-Kush in Bihar.
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