RLJP To Exit NDA? Pashupati Paras Issues Ultimatum To BJP For Bihar Election Citing 'Injustice'

The RLJP party, led by Pashupati Kumar Paras, is dissatisfied with the NDA alliance as it was denied seats in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Paras hinted that he may reconsider its alliance in Bihar election.

Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) President and former Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras has expressed dissatisfaction with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the denial of seats to his party in the recent Lok Sabha elections. In a candid statement, Paras indicated that the RLJP could reconsider its alliance with the NDA if the party is not allocated "winnable" seats in the forthcoming 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.

Paras told news agency ANI, "In the 2024 elections, the tickets of five leaders of my party were cut, and I do not know the reason behind it... Our party did not get justice. Despite this, we gave importance to the national interest and supported Narendra Modi and the NDA. Our first choice is to stay with the NDA alliance, but if we do not get the desired seats, the next step will be decided after the party meeting."

Paras's remarks come after the RLJP's exclusion from the seat-sharing arrangement for the 2024 general elections, during which the BJP allocated 17 seats to itself and 16 to the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], with other allies such as Hindustani Aawam Morcha (HAM) and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) securing one seat each. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) contested five seats, leaving RLJP without representation.

"The NDA alliance did not give our party the respect it deserved in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Yet, we put personal gains aside and supported Prime Minister Modi in the national interest." He praised Modi's leadership, saying, "Today, not only in India but across the world, Narendra Modi is recognised as a universally accepted leader. He is the most popular leader, and that’s why we chose to remain with the NDA alliance."

Pashupati Paras Vs Chirag Paswan

The rift between Paras and his nephew Chirag Paswan over the Hajipur seat, historically a stronghold of the RLJP, had earlier created friction within the NDA. Despite Paras's insistence on retaining the seat, it was allocated to Chirag's faction, resulting in Paras stepping down from his ministerial post. He had announced plans to contest independently but later reconciled with the BJP after talks with senior leaders.

Soon after the Lok Sabha seat-sharing arrangement was announced in March, Paras had resigned as Union Minister in Modi 2 cabinet saying, "Injustice has been done to us and our party. Therefore, I resign from the post of Union Minister."

Bihar is slated to hold its assembly elections next year, and the RLJP’s demands for a fair share of seats will shape the future of the party’s alliance with the NDA.