RCP Singh meets Nitish Kumar in Patna after years of political estrangement
Synopsis
For the first time in years, RCP Singh — once Nitish Kumar's most trusted lieutenant — showed up at the Bihar CM's Patna residence. The cordial meeting, shared publicly by Singh on social media, has set Bihar's political circles buzzing over whether a JD(U) homecoming is in the works.
Key Takeaways
RCP Singh met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at his official Patna residence on 27 June , ending a prolonged political estrangement.
Singh described the interaction as cordial and shared a photograph with Kumar on social media.
The meeting has triggered speculation over a possible return of Singh to the Janata Dal (United) ; neither side has made any official announcement.
Reports suggest Nishant Kumar , Nitish Kumar's son, may have facilitated the meeting, though this is unconfirmed.
After leaving JD(U), Singh joined the BJP and later associated with Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj movement; his daughter lost the recent Bihar Assembly election.
Former Union Minister and ex-Janata Dal (United) leader RCP Singh met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at the latter's official residence in Patna on 27 June, ending a prolonged period of political distance between the two leaders. The meeting has reignited speculation over a possible return of Singh to the JD(U), though neither side has made any official announcement.
How the Meeting Unfolded
According to reports, RCP Singh arrived at Nitish Kumar's official residence along with supporters and waited outside until Kumar came out. Singh greeted him respectfully, and photographs from the occasion show the two leaders standing together. Some accounts suggest Kumar briefly acknowledged Singh before engaging with other party workers, though Singh has maintained the interaction was substantive and cordial.
Singh subsequently shared details of the meeting on social media, posting a photograph alongside Kumar and describing the interaction as cordial, stating he met his former leader and held discussions with him.
The Political Background
The two leaders were once among Bihar's closest political partnerships. After retiring voluntarily from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), RCP Singh entered active politics through the JD(U), where Nitish Kumar entrusted him with several senior positions — including National General Secretary, National President of the party, and two terms as a Rajya Sabha member.
Singh subsequently became a Union Minister in the central government. However, relations between the two leaders deteriorated during his ministerial tenure, eventually leading to his exit from the JD(U).
Singh's Political Journey Since the Split
After parting ways with the JD(U), RCP Singh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but was reportedly unable to carve out a significant political role there. He later aligned himself with the Jan Suraaj movement led by political strategist Prashant Kishor. His daughter contested the recent Bihar Assembly elections under that banner but was unsuccessful.
What the Meeting Could Signal
Reports in political circles suggest that Kumar's son, Nishant Kumar, may have played a role in facilitating the meeting, though there has been no official confirmation of this. The JD(U) leadership has not commented publicly on the development.
This comes amid a fluid political landscape in Bihar, where alliance arithmetic ahead of future elections continues to shift. Whether the meeting marks the beginning of a formal reconciliation or remains a one-off courtesy call is likely to become clearer in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
A posture that reads more like a political supplicant than a casual reunion. Yet the JD(U) has stayed conspicuously silent, which suggests the party is watching public reaction before committing to any formal rapprochement. Singh's post-JD(U) trajectory — a brief, low-profile stint in the BJP followed by a peripheral role in Jan Suraaj — leaves him with diminishing political options as Bihar heads toward its next electoral cycle. For Nitish Kumar, absorbing a once-estranged loyalist carries both the reward of a familiar face and the risk of reopening old factional wounds.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did RCP Singh meet Nitish Kumar after such a long gap?
RCP Singh met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at his Patna residence on 27 June, reportedly to reconnect after years of political estrangement following his exit from the JD(U). Singh described the meeting as cordial, though no official reason has been stated by either side.
Is RCP Singh returning to the JD(U)?
No official announcement has been made by either RCP Singh or the JD(U) leadership regarding his return to the party. The meeting has fuelled speculation in political circles, but it remains unconfirmed.
What led to the falling out between RCP Singh and Nitish Kumar?
Relations between the two leaders deteriorated during RCP Singh's tenure as a Union Minister in the central government, eventually resulting in his exit from the Janata Dal (United). The precise reasons were never publicly detailed by either party.
What has RCP Singh been doing since leaving the JD(U)?
After leaving JD(U), RCP Singh joined the BJP but could not establish a major political role there. He later associated with Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj movement; his daughter contested the recent Bihar Assembly elections under that platform but was unsuccessful.
Who is Nishant Kumar and what role did he reportedly play?
Nishant Kumar is Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's son. Reports in political circles suggest he may have helped facilitate the meeting between RCP Singh and Nitish Kumar, though there has been no official confirmation of his involvement.
