Pashupati Paras Steps Down From Union Cabinet Following NDA-Chirag Paswan Agreement For Bihar Politics
Expressing his discontentment at a press conference, Pashupati Kumar Paras emphasized the lack of seat allocation for his party despite its previous representation of five MPs.
Pashupati Kumar Paras, a Union minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet, tendered his resignation on Tuesday following the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) decision to allocate no seats to his party, the RLJP, in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Bihar. This move came after the NDA, led by Prime Minister Modi, sealed a seat-sharing agreement with Chirag Paswan's LJP (Ram Vilas) faction, sidelining Paras' RLJP.
Expressing his discontentment at a press conference, Pashupati Kumar Paras emphasized the lack of seat allocation for his party despite its previous representation of five MPs. He asserted that he had served the NDA faithfully and with integrity but felt unjustly treated in this instance. Paras chose not to delve into his future plans following his resignation but acknowledged Prime Minister Modi as a significant leader while conveying his gratitude to him.
The NDA's seat-sharing arrangement for the Bihar Lok Sabha elections saw the BJP allotted 17 constituencies, JD(U) 16, and Chirag Paswan's LJP (Ram Vilas) faction securing five seats. This allocation effectively disregarded the claims put forth by the LJP faction led by Pashupati Kumar Paras. Additionally, other NDA allies, namely Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Upendra Kushwaha-led Rashtriya Lok Morcha, were allocated one seat each.
Vinod Tawde, BJP's election in-charge for Bihar, disclosed these allocations during a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. Notably, this arrangement marks a departure from previous elections, as the BJP secured more seats than the JD(U), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, reflecting a shift in their dynamics since their recent alliance.
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Tawde expressed optimism about the NDA's prospects in Bihar, confidently predicting victory in all 40 constituencies. In 2019, the alliance had secured 39 seats in the state. The BJP's allocation of 17 seats, JD(U)'s 16, and LJP (Ram Vilas) faction's five seats were confirmed during the press conference, reaffirming the NDA's strategy for the upcoming elections.
The unfolding developments underscore the intricate dynamics within the NDA alliance and the strategic calculations made ahead of crucial electoral battles.
