RPN Singh's Congress-to-BJP Switch: 5 Points on Big Step Ahead of UP Polls

RPN Singh today retired from Congress and joined BJP.

New Delhi:
Former Union Minister RPN Singh left Congress today and joined the BJP and became the most prominent leader of Uttar Pradesh doing so just before the elections in the state. So why is his departure a big loss for Congress and a gain for the BJP?

Here are the top 5 points of this big story:

RPN Singh is a key backward caste leader in eastern UP, compensating for the loss of Swami Prasad Maurya in the BJP.
Mr Singh has won multiple elections from eastern UP.
He was a three-time MLA from Padrauna and was elected MP from Kushinagar.
Mr Singh defeated Swami Prasad Maurya in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections
For the BJP, Congress imports are a good prospect after several backward caste leaders recently left the party.