Several leaders from the BJP have reacted to Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh’s resignation as Janata Dal-United (JD(U)) president. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was elected JD(U) president after Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh stepped down from the position on Friday at the meeting of the party's national executive. Bihar BJP president Samrat Choudhary called JD(U) a "Nitish Kumar's party is a private limited party" and that it doesn't matter who takes the top post in the party.
He said that it was an internal matter of the JD(U) and that the BJP had nothing to do with it.
When asked whether JD(U) will join the BJP-led NDA, Choudhary said there have been no such discussions.
“Even if JD(U) and RJD contest together against the BJP, we are prepared to take both down”, Choudary told PTI.
Similarly, Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly Vijay Kumar Sinha said Lalan Singh should have resigned earlier. "A self-respecting person never accepts this type of farewell. When the party and the leadership do not have confidence in them, there is no point in holding that post. He (Lalan Singh) should have resigned earlier”, Sinha told ANI.
Meanwhile, Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RJLD) president Upendra Kushwaha said that Lalan Singh seemed more like a Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and not so much of JD(U). He remarked that Nitish Kumar has tried to do damage control, but things will never be the same since they left NDA.
“I had already said that the path taken by JD(U) after parting ways with the NDA will lead it to its end. For quite some time, it was evident that Lalan Singh seemed more of an RJD leader than JD(U). Nitish Kumar has tried to do damage control, but things will never be the same”, Kushwaha was quoted as saying by PTI.
Lalan Singh’s resignation comes after speculations of a leadership change in the party were being made. The meeting follows closely after the crucial I.N.D.I.A. bloc gathering in Delhi. The JDU, a member of the alliance, will engage in intensive discussions with the Congress regarding their coalition arrangement for the state. Singh's leadership style was also criticised by several leaders within the party in their recent interactions with Kumar, reported PTI.
Amid reports of rifts within the party, the chief minister has worked to project a picture of unity by keeping Lalan Singh by his side. Sources within the party have been dismissive of reports that Singh's perceived proximity to the RJD was a reason behind his ouster, noting that he has been a close ally of Kumar for decades.