FORMER ARA MP TO FORM NEW PARTY IN BIHAR

FORMER ARA MP TO FORM NEW PARTY IN BIHAR

19-APRIL-ENG 10

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------The plan of former Union Minister and veteran leader RK Singh to embark on a new innings in Bihar politics has become a subject of widespread discussion. RK Singh—who has established his identity successively as a bureaucrat, a politician, and now a lawyer—recently announced that he intends to form a new political party. This decision, coming five months after his parting ways with the Bharatiya Janata Party, holds the potential to trigger a significant shift in Bihar's political equations.

Speaking on the vision for his new political party, RK Singh clarified that his party would be entirely focused on the progress of Bihar. He stated that his objective is to bring together individuals who are honest, educated, and believe in working while rising above the narrow mindset of casteism. He also made it clear that the name of his party would be finalized shortly.

Reflecting on his past political journey, RK Singh praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted that despite his outspoken nature in expressing his views, the Prime Minister reposed his trust in him and entrusted him with the responsibility of a crucial portfolio—such as the Ministry of Power—in the Union Cabinet for seven years, an experience he regarded as deeply honorable.

However, his stance regarding the current politics of Bihar was quite critical. He raised sharp questions concerning the state's leadership—specifically the competence and character of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. RK Singh firmly believes that for the development of the state, it is imperative that its leadership be both educated and honest.

In this same vein, he also took aim at former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He remarked that while the state witnessed commendable progress during Nitish Kumar's first tenure, the rampant corruption that prevailed during his second tenure tarnished the image of his administration. He alleged that 99 percent of the ministers in the Nitish government were complicit in corruption. He argued that even if Nitish himself was not directly involved in corruption, it remains a matter of shame if the people surrounding him are corrupt.

RK Singh's life experience and educational background set him apart from other politicians. Born in Supaul and holding degrees in Arts, Law (LLB), and Management, RK Singh has garnered extensive administrative experience through his long career as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. His historic decision in 1990 to halt Lal Krishna Advani's *Rath Yatra* catapulted him into the national spotlight. At the time, Lalu Prasad Yadav was the state's Chief Minister, and he had dispatched R.K. Singh to Samastipur as the Additional District Magistrate.

After retiring as the Union Home Secretary, he entered politics and was elected as a Member of Parliament from Arrah twice as a BJP candidate. Following his defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, R.K. Singh accused certain leaders within his own party of conspiring to ensure his electoral defeat. In the wake of this controversy, the BJP suspended him for anti-party activities, prompting him to resign.

Currently, the 73-year-old R.K. Singh has chosen the legal profession as the next chapter of his career. He is now practicing in the Supreme Court and also serves as a member of the Bar Council. It remains to be seen what position R.K. Singh—who possesses extensive administrative and political experience—will carve out for his new political outfit within Bihar's electoral landscape; however, one thing is certain: he is once again poised to play an active role in state politics, characterized by his signature outspoken style.