In a significant political development ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, former Union Minister RCP Singh on Sunday officially merged his party Aap Sabki Aawaz (ASA) with Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party. The merger, announced at a joint press conference in Patna, marks Singh's fourth political affiliation in just two years, further fueling speculation about shifting allegiances in the state’s dynamic political landscape.

Welcoming Singh into the fold, Jan Suraaj founder and political strategist-turned-leader Prashant Kishor said, “Singh's arrival will benefit the party and those who are looking for a new political system in Bihar. We have joined hands to prevent the BJP from returning to power.”

Both Kishor and Singh used the platform to launch a sharp critique of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his party, JD(U), claiming the party has lost its direction and credibility.

"JD(U) has become a sinking ship being run by five contractors, not politicians,” Kishor said. “Nitish Kumar neither runs the party nor the government. Ask any of those five to name even a district president – they won't be able to.” He also termed the state administration a “Jungleraj of officers,” alleging bureaucratic overreach and absence of political leadership.

RCP Singh, once considered Nitish Kumar’s most trusted lieutenant and a powerful figure in JD(U), was sidelined in 2022. Since then, Singh has been searching for political relevance and now appears to have found a platform in Jan Suraaj. His alignment with Kishor is being seen as a strategic move to reassert himself in Bihar politics.

When asked who would be Jan Suraaj’s Chief Ministerial candidate, Kishor responded with a grin, “At least you are now accepting that the next Chief Minister will be from Jan Suraaj. The party will decide the name at the right time.”

In a noteworthy revelation, Kishor claimed that senior Bihar leaders like Ashok Chaudhary and the late Sadanand Singh had once approached him to explore an alliance with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD, but were “disrespected” in those interactions.