Naqvi, RCP Singh quit Modi cabinet as Rajya Sabha term ends

Union Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and RCP Singh submitted their resignations on Wednesday from the Union cabinet, a day before their Rajya Sabha terms come to an end.

As per reports, earlier in the day, both the ministers were lauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their contribution to the country.

Former bureaucrat and once a confidant of Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar, Singh resigned on his birthday, one year after joining the Union Cabinet from his party’s quota. With their term as Rajya Sabha MPs set to end on Thursday, both ministers submitted their resignations to fulfil the constitutional obligation as they will cease to be parliamentarians from Friday.

Soon after the cabinet meeting, Naqvi met BJP National President JP Nadda at the party headquarters.

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There is some speculation that the party might name Naqvi as its vice-presidential candidate for the August elections or nominate him for the post of governor for some state or Union Territory.

While many BJP leaders were elected to Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and other states, the party had not given a Rajya Sabha ticket to Naqvi. Singh, who had sworn as a minister in the party in 2021, was also denied a ticket to the Upper House.

Growing proximity to Amit Shah

Singh’s growing proximity to Union Home Minister Amit Shah had reportedly upset Nitish. The JDU and BJP are in a ruling coalition in Bihar but Nitish has been showing signs of restlessness with the alliance in recent months. The denial of an RS term to Singh was seen as another sign of Kumar putting the BJP on notice.

On the occasion of his birthday, the Prime Minister greeted the minister on Twitter saying: “May he be blessed with a long and healthy life.” The minister also responded to Modi’s greetings.