'Has Got All These Opportunities': Nitish Kumar On Rajya Sabha Snub To RCP Singh

After JD(U) announced its Jharkhand unit chief and former MLA Kheeru Mahto as the candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls, political corridors are abuzz with reports of Nitish Kumar's rift with RCP Singh.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ( Image Source :Getty Images )

New Delhi: Clearing the air over the denial of Rajya Sabha ticket to Union Minister RCP Singh, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said the JD(U) leader had got several opportunities. Nitish Kumar said RCP Singh was sent to Rajya Sabha twice and was also made the party president.

"He is with us since he was an IAS officer. He has been sent to Rajya Sabha twice. He was also made party's president and he is currently a minister in Central Govt. So he has got all these opportunities," ANI quoted Kumar as saying.

In a surprise move, the JD(U) announced its Jharkhand unit chief and former MLA Kheeru Mahto as the candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls in Bihar, signalling Kumar's rift with RCP Singh.

RCP Singh's Rajya Sabha tenure comes to an end in July. As per the guidelines, he can continue as a Union minister, without being a member of either house of Parliament, for not more than six months.

Speaking on the development, RCP Singh said he would seek advice from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on whether he should continue in the Cabinet, PTI reported. He, however, said that he would continue to work for the JD(U) and credited Nitish Kumar for his achievements in politics.

"For all that I have achieved in my political career so far, I thank Nitish babu. I will continue to work for the party organisation in whatever capacity he deems fit for me. As far as Union cabinet is concerned, since it is the Prime Minister's prerogative I will have to seek his advice. If he says I should resign, I will do so," PTI quoted Singh as saying.