Uttar Pradesh: Congress leader RPN Singh resigns from party

Former Union Minister and Congress leader from Uttar Pradesh, RPN Singh resigned from the party today ahead of the state assembly elections.

As per reports, Singh will be joining the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) today at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

RPN Singh has tendered his resignation letter to interim Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Singh’s resignation letter read: “I hereby tender my resignation from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress with immediate effect. I thank you for providing me an opportunity to serve the nation, its people and the party.”

Taking to Twitter Singh wrote, “Today, at a time, we are celebrating the formation of our great Republic, I begin a new chapter in my political journey. Jai Hind.”

Notably, his resignation come days after he was named as one of the party’s top campaigners for the upcoming state elections.

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RPN Singh served as a MLA from the Padrauna constituency of Uttar Pradesh between 1996 and 2009 and was elected as the MP from the constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha election.

He was also the minister of state for home affairs during the Congress regime.

This is the second major exit from the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, following Jitin Prasada’s exit last year when he joined the BJP and was sworn in as a minister in Yogi Adityanath’s cabinet.

Uttar Pradesh will go to poll in 7 phases from 10 to March 7.

The 1st phase will begin on February 10, followed by the 2nd phase on February 14, the 3rd phase on February 20, the 4th phase on February 23, and the 5th phase on February 27.

The last two phases will be held in March.

The 6th phase is on March 3 while the 7th phase will be held on March 7 respectively.