Raghuvansh Prasad Singh quits RJD ahead of polls

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) suffered a big setback ahead of the Bihar assembly polls as senior leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh resigned from the party on Thursday (September 10).

Raghuvansh Prasad Singh had quit as RJD’s national vice-president in June this year in protest against former MP and Rajput leader Ramakishore Singh being entertained by RJD top leader Tejashwi Yadav. Raghuvansh Prasad and Ramakishore have been political rivals for several decades. In fact, Ramkishore defeated Raghuvansh Prasad in Vaishali Lok Sabha seat in 2014.

After he resigned as national vice-president of RJD in June, there was still some hope that Raghuvansh Prasad might stay back after some convincing by Lalu Yadav.

Singh is currently admitted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Ranchi.

A senior RJD leader with a Rajput vote base, Raghuvansh Prasad is learnt to be upset with attempts by his arch rival, former MP Ramakishore Singh, to join RJD.

Sources say Ramakishore is desperate to join the party. Both Raghuvansh and Ramakishore, upper-caste Rajput leaders, have been vying for Thakur votes in Vaishali. Ramakishore has been trying to score over his political rival using the issue of EWS quota for Rajputs.

Related news: Nitish cosies up to Manjhi to keep BJP in check before Bihar Assembly polls