Nitish Kumar's Big Message For Ally BJP With Rajya Sabha Snub

Nitish Kumar has signaled that for now, he will have no one from his Janata Dal United (JDU) in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet - a sure sign that he is upset with ally BJP.

Nitish Kumar has punished Union Minister RCP Singh, his one-time number two, by denying him a third term in Rajya Sabha. With this move, the Bihar Chief Minister has signaled that for now, he will have no one from his Janata Dal United (JDU) in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet - a sure sign that he is upset with ally BJP.

RCP Singh is the only JDU minister in the central government. He apparently paid for his proximity to the BJP and may have to step down soon as his Rajya Sabha term will end in June. "It is the Prime Minister's prerogative," he said today to questions on his resignation. "I will meet him in Delhi," he added, betraying desperation.

He also said he was "grateful" at being denied a Rajya Sabha seat. "What he decided yesterday, I am grateful to him. Whatever he decided is in my interest. I have not done anything to date that should make anyone upset," he said.

For Mr Singh, the writing was on the wall since Nitish Kumar started "ignoring" him, according to party leaders. A photo at a wedding, where the Chief Minister appeared to overlook the Union Minister completely and the two sat grimly with a leader in the middle, foretold bleak times ahead for the man who was once Nitish Kumar's closest aide and the go-between for him and the BJP.