LJP: Chirag expels 5 rebel MPs; Paras-led faction removes him as party prez




The faction headed by on Tuesday expelled the five MPs of the party who had rebelled against him, while the group led by his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras removed him from the post of the party president.


Surajbhan Singh has been appointed as the working president of the party. Party has also given him the charge to conduct elections for the appointment of the party’s president.





Both factions moved swiftly to take control of the party a day after Paras, the youngest brother of Paswan’s father and party founder Ram Vilas Paswan, was recognised by the Lok Sabha secretariat as the leader of the (LJP) in the House.


While has been isolated in the parliamentary party as all other MPs beside him have backed Paras, sources said he continues to draw support from other leaders in the organisation.


The matter is now likely to reach the Election Commission as both factions have claimed to represent the party.



In his first reaction after his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras ousted him as the leader of the party in Lok Sabha, Paswan on Tuesday likened the organisation to a mother who should not be “betrayed”.


In a tweet, he said he made efforts to keep the party founded by his father Ram Vilas Paswan and his family together but failed.


People are supreme in a democracy, Paswan said and thanked those who have kept faith in the party.


Paswan also shared a letter he had written to Paras, the youngest brother of his father, in March in which he had highlighted his uncle’s unhappiness over a number of issues, including his elevation as the party president.


Five of the six MPs in Lok Sabha have joined hands against Paswan on Monday and elected Pashupati Kumar Paras, the youngest brother of Paswan’s late father and party founder Ram Vilas Paswan, in his place, causing a big churn in Bihar


The Lok Sabha Secretariat on Monday evening recognised Paras as the leader of the LJP in the House, a day after the five MPs informed Speaker Om Birla about their decision.


Paras lauded Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as a good leader and “vikas purush” (development-oriented man), highlighting the deep fault lines within the party as his nephew has been a strong critic of the supreme JD(U) leader.


“I have not broken the party but saved it,” Paras, the MP from Hajipur, told reporters.


He asserted that 99 per cent of LJP workers were unhappy with the turn of events in Bihar as Paswan led his party against the JD(U) and it fared poorly in the 2020 assembly polls.


The LJP has been on the brink of collapse, he said in reference to its poor show in the polls, and lashed out at “anti-social” elements in the party, an apparent pointer to a close aide of Paswan whose proximity to him has not gone down well with many party leaders.


Paras said his group will continue to be part of the BJP-led NDA, and added that Paswan can remain in the organisation.

Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.

As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.

Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.

Digital Editor





Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *