JD(U) Leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh Takes Oath as Cabinet Minister

New Delhi: JD(U) leer Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan' took oath as Union Cabinet Minister on Sunday. Rajiv Ranjan Singh was declared winner in Munger, securing 550146 votes and surpassing Kumari Anita of RJD by 80870 votes.

This Bhumihar leer has always been party supremo Kumar’s strength, as this caste in Bihar is known to have wide political influence despite its small size.

Lalan was instrumental in stitching JD(U)-RJD alliance in 2022. According to political observers, though Yavs and Muslims are tritional support bases of RJD in certain areas of Munger, Jamalpur and Lahkisarai, Bhumihars and or upper-caste groups have been supporting Singh for last several years.

Claims and counter-claims over an alleged rift between Singh and Nitish Kumar me helines a few months ago as political equations changed in following months.

Singh won from Munger Lok Sabha seat for third time. He h also represented Begusarai constituency seat once, between 2004 and 2009.

His previous victories came in 2009, 2019 and 2024, but when he lost in 2014, Nitish Kumar nominated him as an MP in Rajya Sabha, and later he was also appointed party’s national president.

Prior to this, Singh was nominated to Bihar Legislative Council under Governor's quota and me Minister for Ro Construction Department in n Jitan Ram Manjhi cabinet in June 2014.

His induction and elevation despite electoral loss sparked a rebellion in JD(U) led by Gyanendra Singh Gyanu who later defected to BJP with a group of 12 MLAs. 

With PTI inputs