The ongoing rift between Bihar’s Paswan scion, Chirag Paswan, and his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras for the ‘ultimate control’ over the party, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), has escalated to the intense level. Chirag, on Wednesday, June 16, made some serious allegations on Janata Dal (United) (JDU) and took some critical decisions in Bihar.
Chirag alleged that JDU is making hay while the sun shines and is responsible for the power tussle within LJP. “JDU practices divisive politics. JDU has tried to break the LJP several times. It has tried to divide Dalits in the past too. Some people were making attempts to break the party when my father was hospitalised,” said Chirag Paswan while addressing the media on Wednesday, quoted ANI report.
Chirag has even written a letter to Lok Sabha speaker, Om Birla, urging to make him the Leader of LJP sidelining the letter submitted by his party’s 5 MPs to make his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras the Leader of LJP. Chirag mentioned that he didn’t become an orphan when he lost his father and another uncle, but he feels he has become an orphan now after his uncle has sidelined him to hold the throne of the party.
Pashupati Kumar Paras also alleged that the party performed well under his supervision in 2019, however was removed from Bihar’s unit chief position by Chirag Paswan. He also claimed that it was Chirag’s decision to contest Bihar Assembly elections 2020 separately without being a part of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) which has cost the party a heavy price. “You must ask Chirag Paswan why did he remove me from the state president post. We contested Bihar elections under my supervision and won six seats. We received the highest percentage of the vote as per the election commission,” said Paras, quoted ANI report.
Chirag announced a new chief for the Bihar unit of LJP in the form of Raju Tiwari on Wednesday. The Bihar unit of LJP was earlier headed by Prince Raj, now succeeded by Raju Tiwari. Tiwari is the same person who took over the Bihar unit’s President position after Pashupati Kumar Paras was removed from the position on the directions of late Ram Vilas Paswan. The news was announced by Chirag in 2019.
The JDU, however, hasn’t reacted to Chirag’s allegations. It will be interesting to see what happens next as LJP seems to be cutting all connections with Chirag Paswan under the leadership of his uncle. Chirag was removed from the party’s National President position as well as Party’s Lok Sabha Parliamentary leader position on Tuesday.
