Revolt against Paswan in LJP; senior leaders resign, float a new front

They quit LJP, protesting Paswan’s style of functioning

Paswan mocks Rahul's PM remark, says no vacancy in 2019 Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan | PTI

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) has split with senior leader and party’s national general secretary Satyanand Sharma, along with over 100 office-bearers of LJP resigning and forming a new party—the LJP (Secular).

Sharma has quit the LJP, protesting Paswan’s style of functioning and announced formation of the new front. He also accused the Union minister of promoting only his family members in the party and said the LJP has been turned into a family fiefdom of Paswan.

"Paswan's family has been dominating over the party. There is no internal democracy in the party," Sharma, who was accompanied by party national secretary Surendra Chaudhary, treasurer Ramesh Chandra Kapoor, state party general secretary and spokesperson Vishnu Paswan and national general secretary of youth wing of LJP Anil Kumar Paswan and other leaders, told media persons.

He also alleged that leaders secured party tickets in Lok Sabha and assembly elections by coughing up hefty amount of money. LJP, an ally of the BJP at the Centre, won all the six seats it contested in the Lok Sabha elections in Bihar. Of its six MPs, three are family members of Paswan—his son and two brothers.

As no MPs or MLAs have revolted against the leadership, there is no immediate threat to the Lok Janshakti Party. However, the manner in which Paswan's authority has been questioned will be a matter of concern for him. The LJP will have to keep in mind this rebellion when the assembly elections will be held next year in Bihar. As a junior partner in the Nitish-led NDA in Bihar, LJP will be compelled to allot tickets to leaders outside the dynasty.