In a stunning development, five out of six Lok Janshakti Party MPs have ousted their own leader, Chirag Paswan, from his post in a stunning coup, led by the latter’s own uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras. Paras, who is the brother of the LJP founder, late Ram Vilas Paswan, refused to meet Chirag Paswan, who went to visit his house in Delhi on Monday.
Chirag reportedly waited for nearly two hours in his car outside the residence of his uncle but his request for a meeting was turned down. Worse, his cousin Prince Raj, who stays with Pashupati Kumar Paras, too did not come out to meet Chirag.
In a stunning development, Chirag was ousted as the LJP leader by five out of six MPs who revolted against him on Sunday. Paras was elected as the new leader of the LJP with Mehboob Ali Kaiser being named his deputy.
Chirag had reportedly gone to meet his uncle with a compromise formula, which included his mother replacing him as the new LJP chief. However, the rebel MPs have not yet indicated if the formula is acceptable to them.
According to news agency PTI, Paras said that his group will continue to be part of the BJP-led NDA, and added that Paswan can remain in the organisation.
Chirag had led his party to a disastrous performance in the last year’s assembly polls in Bihar, where he decided to contest the elections alone. His decision to routinely criticise Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also angered the rebel MPs.
The rebel MPs have written to Lok Sabha Speaker informing about Chirag’s ouster as the party leader. According to reports, the Lok Sabha Speaker said that their request for a change in the LJP leadership was under consideration.
Political watchers in Bihar feel that the rebel MPs, who all owe their election victories to Chirag’s father Ram Vilas Paswan, may have to face the wrath of LJP loyalists in Bihar.