Pashupati Paras Overthrows Chirag Paswan as LJP Parliamentary Leader in Lok Sabha

At least six Lok Sabha members of LJP have joined hands against Chirag Paswan as their leader and have written to the Speaker for electing his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras in his place.

Updated: June 14, 2021 5:40 PM IST

By India.com News Desk | Edited by Sharmita Kar

LJP President Chirag Paswan

New Delhi: Pashupati Kumar Paras, Chirag Paswan’s uncle and the youngest brother of late Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, was on Monday unanimously elected as the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) Parliamentary party leader in Lok Sabha. In a major setback for the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in Bihar, several MPs revolted against chief Chirag Paswan, seeking to create a separate party. At least six Lok Sabha members of LJP have joined hands against Chirag Paswan as their leader and have written to the Speaker for electing his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras in his place. There has been no official comment from either Chirag Paswan, who has not been keeping well, or the rebel group so far. Meanwhile, Pashupati Kumar Paras said that he has no objection against the LJP chief. “There are 6 MPs in our party. It was the desire of 5 MPs to save our party. So, I’ve not broken the party, I’ve saved it. Chirag Paswan is my nephew as well as party’s national president. I have no objection against him.”

Here are the developments of the day:

4.08 PM: BJP Shows Reluctance in Supporting Chirag Paswan

“Now the central leadership will take an appropriate decision on whether to stand with Chirag Paswan or not,” BJP national spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan was quoted as saying.

4.06 PM: JDU Claims Not Responsible For LJP Split

Bihar government minister and senior JD(U) leader Ashok Chaudhary has denied allegations that the party was behind the reason of split in LJP. Earlier today, Chirag Paswan’s uncle Pashupati also denied claims of meeting JDU leaders.

1.48 PM: Pashupati Paras Unanimously Elected as LJP Member For Lok Sabha 

Pashupati Kumar Paras unanimously elected as the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) Parliamentary party leader in Lok Sabha; a meeting was held on 13th June.

1.02 PM: What Pashupati Paras Said About LJP Split

Yah majboori ka faisla hai (This is a decision taken due to compulsion). We were feeling suffocated,” said the Hajipur MP and brother of late union minister Ram Vilas Paswan.

12.54 PM: Rebel LJP MPs to Meet Lok Sabha Speaker at 3 PM

The 5 Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) MPs to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today at 3 PM, said ANI sources.

12.42 PM: Chirag Paswan Reaches Uncle Pashupati Paras’ House

The group of defected MPs includes MPs Prince Raj, Chandan Singh, Veena Devi and Mehboob Ali Kaiser, who have long been unhappy with Chirag Paswan’s style of functioning, sources told PTI. Paswan Junior has been facing trouble on the political front ever since he took over the party’s top position and has been left virtually isolated after taking on the mantle following his father Ram Vilas Paswan’s death in 2020.

Sources close to him have blamed the JDU for the split, saying the party had long been working to isolate the LJP president after his decision to go all out against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in the 2020 assembly polls damaged the ruling party badly.

It is being said that the rebel group may back the JDU in the coming days. However, Pashupati denied reports of him meeting with JDU members. “LJP is our party, the organisation is strong in Bihar. I was with NDA and I will continue to be a part of the alliance…Wrong decisions led to LJP’s marginalisation in Bihar, I consider CM Nitish Kumar as good leader,” the LJP MP said.

LJP is not a ruling party in Bihar, but it remains an ally of the NDA government at Centre.

It is also being said that the rift cropped up after the news over the likely inclusion of one LJP member in the Cabinet reshuffle. Notably, Ram Vilas Paswan’s berth in the Cabinet is yet to be filled, and will likely be taken into consideration during the reshuffle.

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