BJP expels RK Singh, suspends Ashok Kumar Agarwal and Usha Agarwal in major crackdown on anti-party activities in Bihar
PTC Web Desk: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday launched a major disciplinary crackdown in Bihar, expelling former Union power minister and ex-Ara MP RK Singh for six years. The party accused him of repeatedly engaging in “anti-party activities” and violating organisational rules.
Along with RK Singh, the BJP also suspended MLC Ashok Kumar Agarwal and Katihar Mayor Usha Agarwal on similar charges as the party attempts to contain growing rebellion within its state unit. RK Singh has been given one week to respond formally to the allegations.
Show-cause notice followed by removal
The action came after the BJP issued a stern show-cause notice earlier in the day. The notice accused RK Singh of damaging the party’s reputation through his public statements. It warned him to justify why he should not face expulsion. Just hours later, the party announced that he had been removed from its primary membership.
This marks one of the toughest actions taken by the BJP against a senior leader in recent years.
Accusations of a massive power project scam
Trouble had been building for weeks after RK Singh made serious allegations about a huge scam in the Bhagalpur (Pirpainti) power project awarded to Adani Power Ltd. RK Singh, who oversaw the power ministry from 2017 to 2024, claimed that the project involved corruption worth Rs 60,000–Rs 62,000 crore.
He alleged that electricity was being purchased at an excessively high cost of Rs 6 per unit, which he said would hurt ordinary consumers. His allegations triggered sharp political reactions. Congress leader KC Venugopal used RKSingh’s claims to accuse the NDA government of favouring the Adani Group and allowing the PMO to “control everything from behind the scenes.” Leaders of the Left parties also echoed the issue, pointing out that even a former Union minister had accused the Nitish Kumar government of wrongdoing.
Growing rift within the NDA
RK Singh’s criticism widened the internal divide. He openly asked voters not to support candidates with criminal records, including those from the NDA, and suggested using NOTA if no honest candidate was available.
Earlier this month, he stepped up his attack by posting documents on X related to the alleged Rs 62,000-crore scam. He also accused the Election Commission of failing to enforce the Model Code of Conduct, pointing to the movement of heavily armed convoys during election time.
He called it a “serious violation of democratic norms” and demanded strict action from authorities.
RK Singh, who won the Ara Lok Sabha seat twice, lost the 2024 general election.
Action against Ashok Kumar Agarwal
Meanwhile, the BJP suspended MLC Ashok Kumar Agarwal for campaigning for his son, Saurav Agarwal. Saurav contested as a VIP candidate against BJP’s Tar Kishore Prasad, which the party called a clear act of indiscipline. He was served a show-cause notice before suspension.
Katihar Mayor Usha Agarwal Suspended
Usha Agarwal, the Mayor of Katihar, was also suspended for allegedly working against the party’s interests, making her the third leader targeted in the BJP’s internal clean-up drive.
- PTC NEWS
