Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran and former Union Minister RK Singh has formally resigned from the party, issuing a direct challenge to the BJP leadership to specify his alleged ‘anti-party activities.’ The Bihar BJP’s decision to suspend Singh on November 15 stemmed from his vocal opposition to the party’s candidate choices and leadership decisions throughout the recent Bihar Assembly elections. Singh informed the press that he had sent his resignation letter to party president JP Nadda and is awaiting clarification on the charges. ‘My assertion that individuals with criminal backgrounds or corruption allegations should not be given tickets is aimed at strengthening the party, not undermining it,’ Singh stated. He expressed his disappointment over the party fielding candidates tainted with criminal records or corruption charges, citing Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Anant Singh as examples. Singh argued that this approach erodes the party’s ethical foundation and national standing. He indicated his unwillingness to remain associated with a party that compromises its principles for electoral gains, emphasizing that his actions were always in the party’s best interest. The suspension follows the NDA’s victory in Bihar, a success reportedly shadowed by internal disputes. Singh’s previous criticisms of the Election Commission’s handling of law and order, including specific incidents of poll-related violence, had already created a rift with the state party leadership. In a related move, the BJP has also suspended MLC Ashok Kumar Agarwal and his wife, Katihar Mayor Usha Agarwal, for allegedly supporting their son’s independent candidacy, a clear sign of the party’s intent to enforce stricter discipline.
