Patna: After denying Union minister RCP Singh another term in the Rajya Sabha, the ruling Janata Dal (United) has expelled its spokesperson Ajay Alok from the party, along with state general secretaries Anil Kumar and Vipin Kumar Yadav from the primary membership. is suspended. Bihar JD(U) chief Umesh Singh Kushwaha told reporters here on Tuesday, “The party’s state general secretaries Anil Kumar and Vipin Yadav and spokesperson Ajay Alok have been relieved of their posts and suspended from the primary membership of the party. The party leader is Jitendra Neeraj. Also being suspended from the primary membership of the party. This decision has been taken to strengthen the party and maintain discipline in the party.”
The JD(U) statement said the leaders were expelled due to anti-party activities, adding, “For the past few months, there were complaints of running programs against the interests of the party and misleading the workers. Some The office-bearers were told that such actions should be avoided, but despite this the anti-party activities continued.”
After his expulsion, Ajay Alok told PTI, “Badi der kar di mehrban khaye khaye. I am grateful to the party for giving me relief. It was a long association with the party and a great experience. My best wishes to you.” ”
The development comes days after the JD(U) refused the re-nomination of senior party leader RCP Singh to the Rajya Sabha. Singh was once considered a confidante of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The four leaders are believed to have been expelled due to their close association with Union minister RCP Singh, who was the lone minister from the JD(U) quota in the NDA government.
RCP should heed the message and resign from the Union Cabinet: Kushwaha
JD(U) Parliamentary Board chairman Upendra Kushwaha also indicated that Singh should “focus on the message” and resign from the cabinet, replying to reporters here on Tuesday. “If he (Singh) continues in his chair, there is no technical problem. But if he heeds the message and reads the political situation, it would be better if he resigns,” he said.
Kushwaha himself, the former Union minister, clarified that he was “not giving any advice nor expressing any desire” but “only stating what is the most appropriate course of action”. Asked what responsibilities could be given to him in the JD(U) if Singh gives up his cabinet seat, Kushwaha said, “It is for them to decide. There are other things on the party’s agenda.”
About the expulsion of several alleged “RCP supporters”, Kushwaha told PTI, “It makes it clear that no one is above the party. Anyone who does not follow the party line will have to face the consequences.”
Singh, who is believed to have become very close to the ally BJP, is said to have not taken Kumar’s consent before accepting a ministerial post at the Centre. Kumar has been opposed to giving “symbolic representation” to allies by the BJP, which has a thumping majority in the Lok Sabha.
Singh’s induction into the Narendra Modi cabinet comes months after the 2020 Assembly elections, in which the JD(U)’s numbers had declined, largely due to a Chirag Paswan-led rebellion by the LJP. For the first time since the coalition came to power in 2005, the BJP came out with a far larger number than the JD(U). The JD(U) has since been working overtime to deliver the message that the numbers have come down. Despite the assembly, the party and its leaders were not fuming.
Notably, RCP Singh is due to retire from the Rajya Sabha on July 7. He will not be able to continue as a Union Minister for more than six months after he ceases to be a Member of Parliament.
(with PTI inputs)