BJP Cracks Whip on Dissent: Ex-Union Minister R.K. Singh Suspended for Six Years Alongside Katihar Leaders
Anti-Party Activities Cited as BJP Suspends R.K. Singh, Katihar MLC, and Mayor Post-Bihar Polls
NEW DELHI/PATNA: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken stringent disciplinary action against former Union Minister and senior leader R.K. Singh, suspending him from the party for a period of six years for indulging in “anti-party activities.” The action comes swiftly after the declaration of the Bihar Assembly Election results, where the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a decisive victory.
R.K. Singh, a former Member of Parliament from the Arrah constituency, had been vocal in his objections to the decisions of the party leadership and had publicly spoken out against the NDA coalition in the days leading up to and during the recent elections. Reports indicate his critical remarks targeted several alliance leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, and he had also raised serious allegations of a ₹62,000-crore corruption scandal related to a power project in Bihar.
The party has also issued a show-cause notice to R.K. Singh, demanding an explanation within a week as to why he should not be permanently expelled from the organisation.
In a related crackdown on internal dissent, the BJP has also taken action against two other office-bearers in Bihar’s Katihar region.
Legislative Council member (MLC) Ashok Agrawal and his wife, Usha Agrawal, who serves as the Mayor of Katihar, have both been suspended. The action stems from their clear breach of party discipline after Ashok Agrawal’s son, Saurav Agrawal, contested the election from the crucial Katihar Assembly constituency.
Saurav Agrawal stood against the BJP’s official candidate, Tarkishore Prasad, having been declared a candidate by the Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP), which is a constituent of the opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance). Such open defiance of the party line during a key election phase is viewed as severe indiscipline.
The suspensions underscore the BJP’s determination to maintain strict coherence and unity within its ranks, particularly in the aftermath of a major state election.
