Rajeev Kumar Singh Kushwaha Explained
Rajeev Kumar Singh is a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing Tarapur constituency in the Bihar Legislative Assembly in India.[1] [2] He is a member of Janata Dal (United). He has been elected as the MLA on 2 November 2021.[2] Singh got the ticket from Janata Dal (United) amidst the confusion over allocation of Tarapur constituency to Rohit Chaudhary, the younger brother of leader of opposition in Bihar Legislative Council, Samrat Chaudhary. The Tarapur constituency was the stronghold of Shakuni Choudhury, who had influence over Kushwaha voters, who are dominant in this assembly constituency. However, Rajiv Kumar Singh, himself a Kushwaha, was able to defeat his nearest rival in the bypolls of 2021.[3]
Political career
Janata Dal (United) made Rajiv Kumar Singh its candidate in the 2005 assembly elections held in February and October. But in both the elections, Singh had to face defeat from Rashtriya Janata Dal strongman, Shakuni Chowdhary. Prior to this, in the year 2000, Rajeev Kumar Singh had also contested on the ticket of Samata Party but he had to face defeat in that election too.[4]
In2020 Assembly polls, in Tarapur constituency, which has preponderance of Kushwaha caste, Rashtriya Janata Dal, which contested against Janata Dal United, made Divya Prakash (daughter of Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav) as their candidate. However, latter was defeated. In the bypolls that was conducted in 2021, RJD made Arun Sah as their candidate against Singh. Sah was a member of Bania (caste). Singh, however, became victorious in the by elections by a safe margin.[5]
In 2022, Singh was engaged in battle of words against BJP leader Samrat Chaudhary. Chaudhary had commented that Nitish Kumar became minister for the first time due to his father Shakuni Chaudhary, who lobbied for him in front of his party's high command. However Singh attacked Chaudhary by saying that Nitish Kumar formed Samata Party and Shakuni Chaudhary was only second to join after him. Singh also declared himself to be the real leader of Kushwahas and challenged Chaudhary that he will contest the election against him to prove that he has got more support amongst his castemen.[6] [7]
In December 2022, Singh came into limelight after an audio went viral in which he was heard abusing and intimidating a patrolling officer working in his constituency. The victim accused him of intimidation and causing obstruction in his work.[8]
Notes and References
- News: Bihar Bypolls Results 2021 Live Updates: RJD's slender lead in Tarapur builds up for intense finish . 2 November 2021 . Hindustan Times . 2 November 2021 . en . 2 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211102020608/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/patna-news/bihar-bypolls-results-2021-live-updates-101635817113793.html . live .
- Web site: Election Commission of India . results.eci.gov.in . 2 November 2021 . 2 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211102100735/https://results.eci.gov.in/ResultAcByeNov2021/ConstituencywiseS04164.htm?ac=164 . live .
- Web site: With eye on Tarapur by-polls, JD(U) inducts veteran Kushwaha leader Shakuni Choudhary's son. Times of India. 19 February 2023. 25 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220925221540/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/with-eye-on-tarapur-by-polls-jdu-inducts-veteran-kushwaha-leader-shakuni-choudharys-son/articleshow/87143074.cms. live.
- Web site: तारापुर विधानसभा उपचुनाव : जेडीयू से राजीव कुमार सिंह नाम लगभग तय, 5 अक्टूबर को भरेंगे पर्चा. Navbharat. 19 February 2023. 25 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211125170731/https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/bihar/patna/bihar-news-rajeev-kumar-singh-name-almost-decided-from-jdu-in-tarapur-assembly-by-election-nomination-paper-will-filled-on-october-5/articleshow/86619362.cms. live.
- Web site: Bihar Bypoll Results: Tejashwi's Hopes Crushed as Lalu's Mega Rally Fails. the quint. 18 March 2023. 19 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230319202837/https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/bihar-bypoll-results-tejashwi-yadav-hopes-crushed-lalu-yadav. live.
- Web site: तारापुर JDU विधायक ने नेता प्रतिपक्ष को दिया जवाब:राजीव सिंह बोले- सम्राट चौधरी को नींद में फिर मंत्री बनने का सपना आता है. Dainik Bhaskar. 8 October 2023. 20 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221020174539/https://www.bhaskar.com/local/bihar/munger/news/tarapur-jdu-mla-gave-reply-to-leader-of-opposition-rajeev-singh-said-samrat-chaudhary-dreams-of-becoming-a-minister-again-in-his-sleep-130418395.html. live.
- Web site: Bihar By Elections Result 2021: तारापुर विधानसभा से राजद की हार और जदयू की जीत के यह हैं प्रमुख कारण, एक विश्लेषण. Dainik Jagran. 8 October 2023. 5 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211105153328/https://www.jagran.com/bihar/bhagalpur-bihar-by-elections-result-2021-rjds-defeat-and-jdus-victory-are-the-main-reasons-in-tarapur-assembly-an-analysis-22173920.html. live.
- Web site: JDU MLA Audio Viral: 'इतना जूता मारेंगे न... दिमाग दुरुस्त हो जाएगा', तारापुर के विधायक ने फोन पर धमकाया. ABP live. 8 October 2023. 22 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221222082205/https://www.abplive.com/states/bihar/nitish-kumar-party-jdu-mla-tarapur-rajeev-kumar-singh-threatened-to-patrolling-magistrate-on-phone-audio-viral-ann-2287556. live.
