Pashupati Kumar Paras Resigns from Modi Cabinet, RLJP Sidelined in Bihar NDA Alliance

Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party leader Pashupati Kumar Paras has tendered his resignation from the Modi Cabinet, citing grievances over the seat-sharing arrangements within the NDA alliance in Bihar. This decision follows the denial of any seats to Paras’ party, RLJP, in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state.

Paras expressed disappointment in the recent allocation of seats, as his party, which previously held five MPs, was left out of the seat distribution. The NDA’s announcement revealed that the BJP would contest 17 seats, JD(U) 16 seats, and Chirag Paswan‘s LJP 5 seats, omitting any representation for the RLJP.

The decision to sideline the RLJP came as a blow to Paras, who was expecting his party to retain the seats they won in the last election. In contrast, the BJP sided with Chirag Paswan’s faction of the LJP, excluding Paras’ faction from the alliance.

Bihar BJP chief Samrat Choudhary mentioned that discussions with Paras were ongoing, hinting at a potential resolution to the seat-sharing deadlock. Meanwhile, Jitan Ram Manjhi-led Hindustani Aawam Morcha (HAM) and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) secured one seat each in the arrangement.

Key constituencies allocated to the BJP include Pashchim Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Aurangabad, Madhubani, Darbhanga, and several others, while the JD(U) received seats like Valmikinagar, Sitamadhi, Jhanjharpur, and more.