New Delhi, 16th March. Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) chief and Union Minister Pashupati Paras has stirred controversy within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) by announcing that all five MPs from his party, including himself, will contest from their respective seats in Bihar. This statement, coupled with his warning that his party is “free to go anywhere,” underscores growing tensions within the alliance.
Paras’ declaration comes amidst reports of the NDA finalizing seat-sharing arrangements for Bihar without leaving any constituencies, including the key seat of Hajipur, for the RLJP. The RLJP, founded by the late Ram Vilas Paswan, split into two factions – RLJP and LJP (Ram Vilas) – in 2021 following internal rifts, particularly instigated by Mr. Paras.
Under the purported Bihar seat-sharing deal, five seats have reportedly been allocated to the LJP (Ram Vilas) faction led by Chirag Paswan, Paras’ nephew, including the Hajipur seat traditionally held by the Paswan family. Paras expressed disappointment with this arrangement, emphasizing that his party deserves “due respect” within the alliance.
Addressing a press conference, Paras affirmed RLJP’s continued membership within the NDA but urged alliance leaders to reconsider their decision. He emphasized the importance of respecting the party’s Dalit identity and cautioned that denying tickets to Paswan candidates would send the wrong message to the country.
While Paras left the door open for continued alliance with the NDA, he hinted at the possibility of exploring other options if his party’s grievances are not addressed. This development comes as Chirag Paswan claimed to have finalized a seat-sharing deal with the BJP, signaling potential discord within the Paswan family itself.
The BJP, keen on retaining its dominance in Bihar amidst a strengthened opposition coalition, faces the challenge of placating dissatisfied allies like RLJP. With Bihar playing a crucial role in the BJP’s electoral strategy, the NDA’s ability to manage internal tensions will be critical in achieving its electoral objectives.
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