PATNA: Union steel minister and senior JD(U) leader RCP Singh on Tuesday made fun of his own party’s parliamentary board chairman Upendra Kushwaha saying, “Whose name you (reporter) are taking on the beautiful occasion of International Yoga Day on this holy place of Bodh Gaya.”
The Union minister was in Bodh Gaya on Tuesday to participate in an event on International Yoga Day.
When asked for his comment on Kushwaha’s recent remarks that RCP Singh should resign from the Union cabinet, “if he (RCP) heeds the message and reads the political situation,” the Union minister told reporters, “Whose name you are taking on this beautiful occasion. Bodh Gaya is the holy place of Lord Buddha. Please take the name of Lord Buddha.”
A week ago, Kushwaha had said, “There is no technical problem as such if he (RCP) continues in his chair. But if he heeds the message and reads the political situation, it would be nice if he resigns from the Union cabinet).”
Singh was responding to media queries after participating in a Yoga event inside the premises of Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya.
Asked about the ‘very low’ turnout of the JD(U) workers and his supporters during his current visit to Bodh Gaya, the Union minister said it was not the party’s event. “I arrived here to participate in the Yoga programme. When there will be a party event, you will witness large turnout of the party workers like my previous visits to this place,” Singh said.
In the past whenever Singh visited Gaya or Bodh Gaya, a large number of JD(U) workers used to welcome him at different places by offering flowers and garlands. Earlier, the party workers used to raise huge ‘Toran Dwars’ (welcome gates) at different locations in Gaya and Bodh Gaya towns to welcome Singh. But this time, all these pomp and show were missing.
Ever since the JD(U) denied Singh re-nomination for the third term in the Rajya Sabha, the party leaders and workers have been avoiding him, fearing wrath from the rival camp in the party.
Singh's current term in the Rajya Sabha comes to end July 7.
