Just a few days before India's much-awaited Assembly elections in India's northern state Uttar Pradesh (UP), a politician switched camps and caused a massive stir.&nbsp;

Once a star campaigner of India's opposition party Indian National Congress in UP, Ratanjit Pratap Narain Singh recently joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - the ruling party in the state and the country.&nbsp;

His move was a massive setback to Congress, which is looking forward to reviving itself in the state by winning more seats than previous elections.&nbsp;

In Uttar Pradesh, Congress has remained out of power for three decades and only managed seven seats in the 403-member state Assembly in 2017.

<img alt="RPN SIngh" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="525a4026-6230-44d8-b8b9-718a01cd3dca" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/20220125108L_0.jpg" />

RPN Singh, who is a prominent figure in the politics of eastern UP, was named as a "star campaigner" by the Congress party.

He&nbsp;resigned in a dramatic way as he posted his resignation to party chief Sonia Gandhi on Twitter.&nbsp;He wrote in the caption: "Today, at a time, we are celebrating the formation of our great Republic, I begin a new chapter in my political journey. Jai Hind."&nbsp;

RPN Singh, popularly known as 'Raja Saheb of Padrauna' (a scion of the royal family from Padrauna), became youth Congress President of Uttar Pradesh in 1997 and AICC Secretary in 2003.&nbsp;

Singh was elected to Lok Sabha in 2009 as he was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kushinagar constituency in the fifteenth Lok Sabha from 2009 to 2014.&nbsp;

<img alt="RPN SIngh" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9140d2d4-e89a-487b-9ebf-eada0739135f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/20220125106L.jpg" />

The move might favour BJP to a large extent as the party is trying to compensate the vacuum of a 'kurmi' leader (OBC in eastern Uttar Pradesh) after Swami Prasad Mourya's recent exit from the party.&nbsp;

Reports have also stated that the Yogi Adityanath government may field Singh from Padrauna Assembly constituency under Kushi Nagar district, the seat he represented thrice from 1996 to 2007.&nbsp;

Singh had defeated Maurya from Kushinagar in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. However, Singh lost both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Kushinagar.&nbsp;

On the other hand, Maurya, who is the sitting MLA of the Vidhan Sabha recently joined the Samajwadi Party (SP) - a party gunning to win the upcoming polls in the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav.&nbsp;

For the unversed, in the 2017 UP Assembly polls, Maurya had won the constituency for BJP. If he fights against RPN Singh from the Padrauna constituency, it will be a battle to watch out for.&nbsp;

After resigning, Singh further said, "This is a new beginning for me and I look forward to my contribution to nation-building under the visionary leadership &amp; guidance of the Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi, BJP president Shri @JPNadda ji &amp; Honourable Home Minister @AmitShah ji."&nbsp;

Also, it is important to note that Singh has definitely spiced up the battle in a small city in UP, but his switch might not impact the narratives pan-UP.&nbsp;

But quitting the party is a big blow because he was considered close to Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi who are facing conflicts within the party&nbsp;as some big names have joined other camps&nbsp;in recent years - such as Jyotiraditya Scindia.&nbsp;

RPN Singh, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jitin Prasada, Sachin Pilot were once considered significant faces in the youth congress. Recently, Prasada also quit.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Just a few days before India's much-awaited Assembly elections in India's northern state Uttar Pradesh (UP), a politician switched camps and caused a massive stir.

Just a few days before India's much-awaited Assembly elections in India's northern state Uttar Pradesh (UP), a politician switched camps and caused a massive stir. Once a star campaigner of India's opposition party Indian National Congress in UP, Ratanjit Pratap Narain Singh recently joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - the ruling party in the state and the country. His move was a massive setback to Congress, which is looking forward to reviving itself in the state by winning more seats than previous elections. In Uttar Pradesh, Congress has remained out of power for three decades and only managed seven seats in the 403-member state Assembly in 2017. RPN Singh, who is a prominent figure in the politics of eastern UP, was named as a "star campaigner" by the Congress party. He resigned in a dramatic way as he posted his resignation to party chief Sonia Gandhi on Twitter. He wrote in the caption: "Today, at a time, we are celebrating the formation of our great Republic, I begin a new chapter in my political journey. Jai Hind." RPN Singh, popularly known as 'Raja Saheb of Padrauna' (a scion of the royal family from Padrauna), became youth Congress President of Uttar Pradesh in 1997 and AICC Secretary in 2003. Singh was elected to Lok Sabha in 2009 as he was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kushinagar constituency in the fifteenth Lok Sabha from 2009 to 2014. The move might favour BJP to a large extent as the party is trying to compensate the vacuum of a 'kurmi' leader (OBC in eastern Uttar Pradesh) after Swami Prasad Mourya's recent exit from the party. Reports have also stated that the Yogi Adityanath government may field Singh from Padrauna Assembly constituency under Kushi Nagar district, the seat he represented thrice from 1996 to 2007. Singh had defeated Maurya from Kushinagar in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. However, Singh lost both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Kushinagar. On the other hand, Maurya, who is the sitting MLA of the Vidhan Sabha recently joined the Samajwadi Party (SP) - a party gunning to win the upcoming polls in the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav. For the unversed, in the 2017 UP Assembly polls, Maurya had won the constituency for BJP. If he fights against RPN Singh from the Padrauna constituency, it will be a battle to watch out for. After resigning, Singh further said, "This is a new beginning for me and I look forward to my contribution to nation-building under the visionary leadership & guidance of the Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi, BJP president Shri @JPNadda ji & Honourable Home Minister @AmitShah ji." Also, it is important to note that Singh has definitely spiced up the battle in a small city in UP, but his switch might not impact the narratives pan-UP. But quitting the party is a big blow because he was considered close to Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi who are facing conflicts within the party as some big names have joined other camps in recent years - such as Jyotiraditya Scindia. RPN Singh, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jitin Prasada, Sachin Pilot were once considered significant faces in the youth congress. Recently, Prasada also quit. (With inputs from agencies)

India's Assembly Election: How RPN Singh's move made small city in UP a battle to watch out for

Jharkhand is the third state going for assembly polls after the Narendra Modi government came to power for its consecutive second term.

The voting will be held in five phases, with the first on November 30 and the last on December 20. Results will be declared on December 23.

It is a state where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did very well in both 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In 2019 Lok Sabha elections BJP secured more than 51 per cent votes. Congress polled 15 per cent and the third-largest party was Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) with 11 per cent of votes.&nbsp;

Despite the humongous sweep, BJP is facing anti-incumbency in the state elections. The mood in Opposition is also buoyant post-Maharashtra and Haryana assembly elections where despite the absence of national leadership, Congress was able to hold forth.&nbsp;

WION caught up with former Union Minister of Home and Congress General Secretary in charge of Jharkhand RPN Singh. 
&nbsp; 
WION: How do you see Congress doing in Jharkhand in wake of surprise results in Maharashtra and Haryana?

RPN Singh: Maharashtra and Haryana elections were indicators of the fact that voters behave differently in the Assembly elections where&nbsp;local and immediate issues count.&nbsp;

Voters expressed displeasure in BJP’s leadership and it is for this reason that in both the states BJP did not get numbers on its own.&nbsp;

Real issues like jobs, agrarian distress and the economic slide have not been addressed and it is for this reason BJP’s performance was below par in both the states. 
&nbsp; 
WION: How is your alliance with JMM doing?

RPN Singh: We are committed to our alliance. We also announced our alliance on November 8. BJP’s house is not in order in Jharkhand. They don’t have friends in the state. 
&nbsp; 
WION: What are the issues in the state?

RPN Singh: Corruption is an issue in Jharkhand. Joblessness is an issue in the state. BJP has given tickets to corrupt candidates. Politicians with criminal records have been accommodated by BJP.

These issues are striking a chord with the voters. Under BJP, governance took a hit. BJP is not sitting comfortably. Yes, they did very well in both 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls but assembly results were different. BJP in 2014 could not get a simple majority. They are in power with the help of regional players.

To say that 2019 Lok Sabha results will translate into assembly victory is getting the election completely wrong. Elections in Jharkhand would be fought seat by seat and phase by phase. It is a big and complex state where various regional factors are important.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
WION: Why is Congress so confident? Your own Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president left the Party?

RPN Singh: People come and go. It does not make a difference to the party. Fortune of the party ultimately depends on the workers. Till workers remains, party does well.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
WION: Will Ayodhya verdict impact Jharkhand elections?

RPN Singh: Congress respects the judgement of the Supreme Court. BJP will try to divert attention from the real issues, but it will not impact the elections. Elections in Jharkhand are being fought on the issue of governance and corruption.

Jharkhand is the third state going for assembly polls after the Narendra Modi government came to power for its consecutive second term. The voting will be held in five phases, with the first on November 30 and the last on December 20.

Jharkhand is the third state going for assembly polls after the Narendra Modi government came to power for its consecutive second term. The voting will be held in five phases, with the first on November 30 and the last on December 20. Results will be declared on December 23. It is a state where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did very well in both 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In 2019 Lok Sabha elections BJP secured more than 51 per cent votes. Congress polled 15 per cent and the third-largest party was Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) with 11 per cent of votes. Despite the humongous sweep, BJP is facing anti-incumbency in the state elections. The mood in Opposition is also buoyant post-Maharashtra and Haryana assembly elections where despite the absence of national leadership, Congress was able to hold forth. WION caught up with former Union Minister of Home and Congress General Secretary in charge of Jharkhand RPN Singh. WION: How do you see Congress doing in Jharkhand in wake of surprise results in Maharashtra and Haryana? RPN Singh: Maharashtra and Haryana elections were indicators of the fact that voters behave differently in the Assembly elections where local and immediate issues count. Voters expressed displeasure in BJP’s leadership and it is for this reason that in both the states BJP did not get numbers on its own. Real issues like jobs, agrarian distress and the economic slide have not been addressed and it is for this reason BJP’s performance was below par in both the states. WION: How is your alliance with JMM doing? RPN Singh: We are committed to our alliance. We also announced our alliance on November 8. BJP’s house is not in order in Jharkhand. They don’t have friends in the state. WION: What are the issues in the state? RPN Singh: Corruption is an issue in Jharkhand. Joblessness is an issue in the state. BJP has given tickets to corrupt candidates. Politicians with criminal records have been accommodated by BJP. These issues are striking a chord with the voters. Under BJP, governance took a hit. BJP is not sitting comfortably. Yes, they did very well in both 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls but assembly results were different. BJP in 2014 could not get a simple majority. They are in power with the help of regional players. To say that 2019 Lok Sabha results will translate into assembly victory is getting the election completely wrong. Elections in Jharkhand would be fought seat by seat and phase by phase. It is a big and complex state where various regional factors are important. WION: Why is Congress so confident? Your own Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president left the Party? RPN Singh: People come and go. It does not make a difference to the party. Fortune of the party ultimately depends on the workers. Till workers remains, party does well. WION: Will Ayodhya verdict impact Jharkhand elections? RPN Singh: Congress respects the judgement of the Supreme Court. BJP will try to divert attention from the real issues, but it will not impact the elections. Elections in Jharkhand are being fought on the issue of governance and corruption.

People come and go, it does not make difference to the Congress: RPN Singh

Jharkhand election is being fought on local issues: RPN Singh

Ashok Tanwar and Ajoy Kumar were only interested in tickets for their family

Speaking exclusively to WION&rsquo;s Kartikeya Sharma, the former MoS Home Affairs also talks about Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi, and the state of Congress.

He adds that the policies of the ruling BJP government at the Centre have hurt the common man.&nbsp;

&nbsp; 
Here is the full transcript of the interview: 
&nbsp; 
Q: Is Congress&rsquo; election campaign in Gujarat on the line of UP ke ladke, the election campaign theme of SP-Cong in Uttar Pradesh? Rahul Gandhi plus three boys from the state against Narendra Modi? 
&nbsp; 
RPN Singh: Not at all. I is not about individuals.&nbsp;It is not Rahul Gandhi vs anyone. It is not about individuals. It is about people of Gujarat and problems accruing from the policies of BJP-led state and central governments. People have suffered and Rahul Gandhi is only voicing the discomfort faced by people of Gujarat. It is people of Gujarat versus policies of the present government. 
&nbsp; 
Q: Demonetisation did not work in UP. What makes you think that GST as a political campaign will work in Gujarat? 
&nbsp; 
RPN Singh: BJP did a smart thing during UP elections. The message which went out during UP elections was that haves were being attacked and money would eventually be ploughed back to have nots. BJP had earlier promised Rs 15 lakh in people&rsquo;s account and electorate thought that perhaps this scheme is probably a culmination of that promise. This messaging worked then, but now people understand that demonetisation led to nothing. And GST has hurt people. 
&nbsp; 
Q: What is the main challenge for the Congress in Jharkhand? 
&nbsp; 
RPN Singh: BJP government in Jharkhand has been trying to tweak land laws to parcel out land from the tribal community. We have been trying to stall it. They have tried changing land acquisition rules too. There are many issues in the state like health and hunger. Many children died because their mothers were malnourished. Poor has suffered in the state. These are the issues we want to focus on. And then the main focus remains on organization. 
&nbsp; 
Q: Congress for quite some time has been in alliance with regional parties in the state. So how do you expect to challenge BJP? 
&nbsp; 
RPN Singh: Congress has not done well in assembly and Lok Sabha elections last time around. We are trying to strengthen the Congress from booth level onwards. We are trying to take all communities on board. 
&nbsp; 
Q: Every assembly election, Congress jumps into the lap of a regional party. How will you change the outlook? 
&nbsp; 
RPN Singh: In Jharkhand, we contested independently and votes against BJP got divided which helped them. We are making sure that Congress is present in all 81 seats. Though elections are two years away but even if we go for alliance this time around we would like to be equal partners this time around. We aren&rsquo;t ruling out alliance but it needs to be on equal footing. 
&nbsp; 
Q: What explains the rapid expansion of BJP in many states? 
&nbsp; 
RPN Singh: This issue has been addressed many times. In the last two to three years, we lost touch with real issues and what people wanted from us. We did good work but did not communicate well enough. We weren&rsquo;t good at it then. The UPA did a good job in social sector. What we see today is strong communication by BJP but the work on the ground remains nil. 
&nbsp; 
Q: Did the issue of saffron terror controversy impact Congress very negatively? 
&nbsp; 
RPN Singh: Those speeches have never ever been Congress party&rsquo;s view. Terror has no caste, religion or creed; those were individual remarks which I believe were communicated out of context. It has never been the Congress&#39; stand but a perception was created and it did impact the Congress party. 
&nbsp; 
Q: Why is elevation of Rahul Gandhi getting delayed? 
&nbsp; 
RPN Singh: It is not getting delayed. There is an electoral process which is coming to close. PCC delegates have been elected and (his) elevation will happen soon. 
&nbsp; 
Q: Where lies the salvation of the Congress party? In building organization or electoral alliances to stop BJP? 
&nbsp; 
RPN Singh: We need to build our cadre and make people believe in our ideology. 
&nbsp; 
Q: The general message is that Congress has turned Left of Centre? 
&nbsp; 
RPN Singh: We are a centrist party. I will quote late Mrs Indira Gandhi, &ldquo;We are in the centre and we will stand tall.&rdquo;

In an exclusive interview with WION, Singh also spoke about Rahul Gandhi and the state of the Congress party

Speaking exclusively to WION’s Kartikeya Sharma, the former MoS Home Affairs also talks about Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi, and the state of Congress. He adds that the policies of the ruling BJP government at the Centre have hurt the common man. Here is the full transcript of the interview: Q: Is Congress’ election campaign in Gujarat on the line of UP ke ladke, the election campaign theme of SP-Cong in Uttar Pradesh? Rahul Gandhi plus three boys from the state against Narendra Modi? RPN Singh: Not at all. I is not about individuals. It is not Rahul Gandhi vs anyone. It is not about individuals. It is about people of Gujarat and problems accruing from the policies of BJP-led state and central governments. People have suffered and Rahul Gandhi is only voicing the discomfort faced by people of Gujarat. It is people of Gujarat versus policies of the present government. Q: Demonetisation did not work in UP. What makes you think that GST as a political campaign will work in Gujarat? RPN Singh: BJP did a smart thing during UP elections. The message which went out during UP elections was that haves were being attacked and money would eventually be ploughed back to have nots. BJP had earlier promised Rs 15 lakh in people’s account and electorate thought that perhaps this scheme is probably a culmination of that promise. This messaging worked then, but now people understand that demonetisation led to nothing. And GST has hurt people. Q: What is the main challenge for the Congress in Jharkhand? RPN Singh: BJP government in Jharkhand has been trying to tweak land laws to parcel out land from the tribal community. We have been trying to stall it. They have tried changing land acquisition rules too. There are many issues in the state like health and hunger. Many children died because their mothers were malnourished. Poor has suffered in the state. These are the issues we want to focus on. And then the main focus remains on organization. Q: Congress for quite some time has been in alliance with regional parties in the state. So how do you expect to challenge BJP? RPN Singh: Congress has not done well in assembly and Lok Sabha elections last time around. We are trying to strengthen the Congress from booth level onwards. We are trying to take all communities on board. Q: Every assembly election, Congress jumps into the lap of a regional party. How will you change the outlook? RPN Singh: In Jharkhand, we contested independently and votes against BJP got divided which helped them. We are making sure that Congress is present in all 81 seats. Though elections are two years away but even if we go for alliance this time around we would like to be equal partners this time around. We aren’t ruling out alliance but it needs to be on equal footing. Q: What explains the rapid expansion of BJP in many states? RPN Singh: This issue has been addressed many times. In the last two to three years, we lost touch with real issues and what people wanted from us. We did good work but did not communicate well enough. We weren’t good at it then. The UPA did a good job in social sector. What we see today is strong communication by BJP but the work on the ground remains nil. Q: Did the issue of saffron terror controversy impact Congress very negatively? RPN Singh: Those speeches have never ever been Congress party’s view. Terror has no caste, religion or creed; those were individual remarks which I believe were communicated out of context. It has never been the Congress' stand but a perception was created and it did impact the Congress party. Q: Why is elevation of Rahul Gandhi getting delayed? RPN Singh: It is not getting delayed. There is an electoral process which is coming to close. PCC delegates have been elected and (his) elevation will happen soon. Q: Where lies the salvation of the Congress party? In building organization or electoral alliances to stop BJP? RPN Singh: We need to build our cadre and make people believe in our ideology. Q: The general message is that Congress has turned Left of Centre? RPN Singh: We are a centrist party. I will quote late Mrs Indira Gandhi, “We are in the centre and we will stand tall.”

Gujarat election is about people vs govt policies: Former Union Minister RPN Singh tells WION

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India's Assembly Election: How RPN Singh's move made small city in UP a battle to watch out for

People come and go, it does not make difference to the Congress: RPN Singh

Jharkhand election is being fought on local issues: RPN Singh

Ashok Tanwar and Ajoy Kumar were only interested in tickets for their family

Gujarat election is about people vs govt policies: Former Union Minister RPN Singh tells WION