Union Steel Minister R.C.P. Singh finally spoke up over ongoing speculation about his future in the Narendra Modi Cabinet because of a delay by the Janata Dal (U) in declaring his candidature for the coming Rajya Sabha election. He dismissed the claims about differences between him and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and also about a possible split between the JD(U) and the BJP.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi before heading to a Cabinet meeting, Mr. Singh stated, “There are no differences between me and Nitish ji on any issue, and today evening I am going to Patna.” The final deadline for filing the nominations, he said, is on May 31 and there is still time for that.
However, according sources, he spent a week in Patna trying to get an appointment from Mr. Kumar but could not manage to meet the Chief Minister. The JD(U) circles are abuzz about his impending exit and all eyes are on Mr. Kumar, who has been authorised by the party to take the final call on the issue.
