News Analysis India

Tag: LJP

  • As Bihar Parties Welcome ‘Bharat Ratna’ To Karpoori Thakur, RJD Calls It ‘A BJP Poll Gimmick’ |

    New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has welcomed the government’s decision to posthumously confer the Bharat Ratna on former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur. Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United president Nitish Kumar too hailed the move, calling it a good decision by the Centre. However, JD-U’s ally RJD has termed the move as a “political gimmick” of BJP. “My political and ideological guru, Late Karpoori Thakur ji, should have received Bharat Ratna long ago. We raised this voice from the House to the streets, but the Central Government woke up when the present Bihar government of social concern conducted the caste census and increased the scope of reservation for the benefit of Bahujans. The fear is true; politics will have to focus on the concerns of Dalit Bahujan,” RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav posted on X.

    Family Hails Move

    On Tuesday evening, the government announced its decision to award the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, to Karpoori Thakur posthumously. Following the announcement, family members of the late Bihar CM exchanged sweets in recognition of the forthcoming Bharat Ratna honour. Soon after the government announced that Karpoori Thakur would be posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, his son and JD(U) MP Ram Nath Thakur said that he didn’t see it from the side of politics.

    “I want to thank the Central government from my side as well as on behalf of my party and people of Bihar…I don’t see it from the side of politics. His (Karpoori Thakur’s) 100th birthday is tomorrow so maybe in view of that Central govt took this decision,” Thakur said.

    LJP Expresses Gratitude To PM 

    Meanwhile, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan expressed express gratitude to the Government and the Prime Minister.

    “I express gratitude to the Government of India and the Prime Minister. Bharat Ratna for Karpoori Thakur had been a long-pending demand of the people of Bihar as well as the entire country…Today, the PM honoured that demand of the people” Paswan said.

    BJP Hails Move

    Bihar LoP and BJP MLA Vijay Kumar Sinha said that the PM has honoured all Biharis by honouring ‘Jannayak’ Karpoori Thakur with the Bharat Ratna. “We had made the demand from the PM earlier too. Last year, he had said that this would be considered seriously. The PM has honoured all Biharis by honouring ‘Jannayak’ Karpoori Thakur with the Bharat Ratna. Entire Bihar is expressing gratitude to the PM because this is an honour for the entire state,” Sinha said.

    Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras said that the decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “historic.” “PM Narendra Modi has made a historic decision. The people of Bihar and the entire country are thankful to him for this decision…The PM made a historic decision. He will now be considered a messiah of the backward and Dalits,” Paras said.

    Moreover, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said that Thakur was such an honest leader that it is discussed even today. “He connected the poor, the deprived and the backward to the mainstream…I express gratitude to the Prime Minister for conferring the Bharat Ratna on him. This is an honour of the poor and their voice, of the backwards…Several of the previous governments used to think about only the people around them. Some of them thought only about their own families. Narendra Modi Government thinks about the entire country,” Prasad said.

    He further said that awarding Karpoori Thakur with Bharat Ratna is an honour of the poor, the backward of the country “For this much-awaited decision, I express my gratitude. Awarding Karpoori Thakur with Bharat Ratna is an honour of the poor, the backward of the country,” he said.

    BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain thanked the Prime Minister on behalf of the entire people of Bihar. “It is good news for Bihar. ..I thank the central govt…he deserves it, this was a demand of the Bihar people…This was fulfilled when a poor person’s son became Prime Minister. I thank PM Modi on behalf of the entire people of Bihar. Karpoori Thakur was the real leader of Bihar, he did so many things for the state,” Hussain said.

    Union Minister Nityanand Rai expressed gratitude to PM Narendra Modi and said that Karpoori Thakur’s entire life was dedicated to the poor and deprived. “First of all, I would like to express gratitude to PM Narendra Modi. Karpoori Thakur’s entire life was dedicated to the poor and deprived…Those who do politics in his name never thought for him, they just did politics in his name. Parties formed the government with Congress but Karpoori Thakur did not get the honour,” Rai said.

    BJP MP Sushil Modi said that PM Narendra Modi has done that historic work which no other PM could do to date. “Narendra Modi has done that historic work which no other PM could do till date. Son of an OBC – Narendra Modi – has honoured a crusader of OBC with the Bharat Ratna. Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav used to demand the Bharat Ratna but why could they not do it when they were Union Ministers? Narendra Modi is fulfilling the dreams of Karpoori Thakur,” Sushil Modi said.

    Bihar BJP chief Samrat Choudhary called it a historic decision and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “This is a historic decision. Thanks to the Prime Minister. By conferring the Bharat Ratna on ‘Gudri Ka Laal’, freedom fighter and former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur, PM Modi’s government has enhanced the pride of Bihar,” Choudhary said. “Narendra Modi’s government has enhanced the honour of Bihar today. On behalf of everyone in Bihar, I thank him for awarding Bharat Ratna to ‘Gudri Ke Laal’, freedom fighter and former CM Karpoori Thakur…PM Modi guarantees that he will fulfil everyone’s dreams – be it Lalu Yadav’s, Nitish Kumar’s, Congress Party’s or Ram Vilas’s. Only PM Modi can fulfil everyone’s dreams,” he added.

    RLJD Says Historic Decision

    RLJD Chief Upendra Kushwaha said that it is a historic moment for all and for those who fought for poor and backward people. “It is a historic moment for all of us and for those who fought for poor and backward people. We are grateful to PM Modi for this decision. Karpoori Thakur deserved this and we have been demanding it for a long time but the Government of India did not listen to us. However PM Modi has done it,” Kushwaha said.

    Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh said that this honour was for the pride of the poor, the deprived – someone who had become an example with his simplicity and honesty – Jannayak Karpoori Thakur.

    Historic Decision Or Political Gimmick?

    While Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar praised the Centre, his alliance partner in the state RJD said it was done to get votes.
    RJD’s Mrityunjay Tiwari said the BJP was verbally abusing Karpoori Thakur when he was alive and did not remember him for 9 years.

    “Central Government decided to award Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur. The BJP was verbally abusing him while he was alive and did not remember him for 9 years. Our party and leader Lalu Yadav were demanding Bharat Ratna for him continuously. Now that elections are near, they are remembering Karpoori Thakur and awarded him the Bharat Ratna. They are remembering him for votes,” Tiwari said.

    Bharat Ratna A Tribute To Thakur’s Social Justice Crusade

    Beyond the political discourse, the Bharat Ratna is hailed as a tribute to Karpoori Thakur’s relentless struggle for social justice. Known as ‘Jan Nayak,’ his commitment to uplifting the underprivileged sections of society is highlighted. The award recognizes Thakur’s monumental contributions to Indian politics, marked by a dedicated fight against social discrimination and inequality.

    Legacy Of Janata Dal Leader: A Lifelong Struggle For the Marginalized

    Karpoori Thakur’s legacy extends beyond party affiliations. His journey from the Praja Socialist Party to the Janata Dal reflects a commitment to affirmative action and the empowerment of the poor and marginalized. Born on January 24, 1924, and passing away on February 17, 1988, Thakur’s impact on Indian politics remains significant, with the Bharat Ratna serving as a posthumous acknowledgment of his enduring contribution.

  • Police use water cannons, batons to quell Chirag Paswan’s protest against Nitish government

    By PTI

    PATNA: LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan and several of his supporters were detained by police that used water cannons and batons to break up a protest on Tuesday demanding dismissal of the Nitish Kumar government over its alleged failure on “all fronts”.

    The march began at the historic Gandhi Maidan, and Paswan and his supporters were detained near the Income Tax roundabout, about 4 km away, as they tried to proceed to the Raj Bhavan in the city’s high-security zone, shouting slogans against the government and carrying placards that read ‘Bihar Bachao’ (Save Bihar).

    They had an argument with police when they insisted on proceeding to the Raj Bhavan to hand over a memorandum to Governor Phagu Chauhan.

    Provoked, they tried to break the police cordon, prompting a baton-charge and burst of water cannons.

    Officials said some protesters were detained after they scuffled with police and blocked the road, which was later cleared.

    Paswan and others were escorted to Sachiwalaya Police Station after being taken into preventive custody before they were let off.

    “The Nitish Kumar government has failed on all fronts, including providing employment to youths, maintaining law and order, providing education and health. We want immediate dismissal of the Nitish Kumar government,” Paswan told reporters before he was detained.

    Patna senior superintendent of police Manavjit Singh Dhillon told PTI, “It was a preventive detention. The party workers and their leader were released on personal bond.”

    After his release, Paswan along with some party leaders met the protocol officer to the governor and submitted a memorandum highlighting the problems faced by the common man due to the alleged “anti-people” policies of the state government.

  • Manipur’s lone Lok Janashakti Party MLA Karam Shyam joins BJP

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: Just months ahead of Assembly elections in Manipur, the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) lost its presence in the state Assembly on Thursday as the party’s lone MLA, Karam Shyam, defected to the ruling BJP.

    He was welcomed and felicitated by the BJP at a programme, attended among others by Chief Minister N Biren Singh and BJP’s Manipur in-charge Sambit Patra.

    “Heartiest welcome to Shri Karam Shyam Ji, Hon’ble MLA Langthabal AC, as he joined the @BJP4India today! The dynamic leadership of Hon’ble PM @narendramodi Ji and the party’s principles continue to gain the faith of prominent leaders from different parties,” the CM tweeted.

    Describing Shyam as a leader with great wisdom, Singh said he and the BJP would never forget the sacrifices which the MLA had made to deliver a stable and progressive government in the state.

    Sharing some photos of the programme, Patra tweeted, “Participating in the massive Welcome Rally in Langthabal Assembly Constituency in Manipur, organised by Local MLA Shri KaramShyam ji who joined BJP today. Honourable CM Sh @NBirenSingh ji & State BJP President Smt @AShardaDevi ji too blessed the rally.”

    Shyam was serving as a minister until being dropped during a reshuffle of the ministry last year. He was the LJP’s lone MLA in the entire northeast. His defection comes just days after Congress MLAs RK Imo Singh and Yamthong Haokip joined the party in New Delhi.

    After the results of the 2017 elections were declared, Shyam had wasted no time in pledging his support to the BJP when it was cobbling up numbers to form the government.

    Recently, he expressed happiness over the Narendra Modi government’s various development initiatives and said he would work towards strengthening the BJP. 

  • LJP dispute: Chirag Paswan, Pashupati Paras factions allotted separate names, poll symbols by EC

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission allocated names and poll symbols to the Chirag Paswan and the Pashupati Kumar Paras factions as an interim measure on Tuesday, days after barring them from using the name of the Lok Janshakti Party or its symbol ‘bungalow’.

    In separate letters to Paswan and Paras, the poll panel said it has allotted the name ‘Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas)’ and the election symbol ‘Helicopter’ to the Chirag Paswan group.

    “Having considered your request, the commission has allotted the name ‘Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party’ for your group and has allotted the symbol ‘Sewing Machine’ as the symbol to be allotted to the candidate set up, if any, by your group in the current by-election,” the EC told Paras.

    In an interim order on October 2, the EC had barred both the factions from using the name of Lok Janshakti Party or its symbol ‘bungalow’ till the dispute between the two is settled by the poll panel.

    The interim order, signed by Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and fellow Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey, covers the October 30 bypolls to 30 assembly seats and three Lok Sabha seats across India, including two assembly constituencies in Bihar.

    The order would “continue till the final determination of the dispute in the matter” according to provisions of the Election Symbol (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

    The EC had said both the groups were free to choose the names of their liking, including, if they so desire, linkage with their parent party Lok Janshakti Party.

    “Both the groups shall also be allotted such different symbols as they may choose from the list of free symbols notified by the Election Commission for the purposes of the current by-elections, including Kusheshwar Asthan and Tarapur assembly constituencies in Bihar,” the order had said.

  • EC freezes LJP symbol till dispute between Chirag Paswan, Pashupati Paras factions settled 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Saturday barred the Chirag Paswan and the Pashupati Kumar Paras factions from using the name of Lok Janshakti Party or its symbol ‘bungalow’ till the dispute between the rival groups is settled by the poll panel.

    The commission also said that the two factions can use free symbols available to field their candidates for the bypolls to two assembly seats in Bihar in the coming days.

    “Both the groups shall be known by such names by as they may choose for their respective groups, including, if they so desire, linkage with their parent party Lok Janshakti Party (LJP),” the order read.

    Bypolls for the Kusheshwar Asthan and the Tarapur assembly seats in Bihar will be held on October 30.

    The interim order, signed by Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and fellow Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey, covers the October 30 bypolls to 30 assembly seats and three Lok Sabha seats across India, including two assembly constituencies in Bihar.

    The order would “continue till the final determination of the dispute in the matter” according to provisions of the Election Symbol (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

    The Election Commission (EC) noted that a final settlement, as demanded by one of the factions, was not possible before October 8.

    The date of nomination for the bypolls started on October 1 and will close on October 8.

    The poll panel said it is issuing the interim order seeking to place both the rival groups on an even keel and to protect their rights and interests.

    “Neither of the two groups led by Pashupati Kumar Paras and other led by Chirag Paswan shall be permitted to use the name of the party Lok Janshakti Party. Neither of the two groups shall also be permitted to use the symbol ‘Bungalow’, reserved for Lok Janshakti Party,” the order read.

    It said both the groups are free to choose the names of their liking, including, if they so desire, linkage with their parent party Lok Janshakti Party.

    “Both the groups shall also be allotted such different symbols as they may choose from the list of free symbols notified by the Election Commission for the purposes of the current by-elections, including Kusheshwar Asthan and Tarapur assembly constituencies in Bihar,” the order read.

    Both the groups have been directed to furnish, latest by 1 pm on Monday, October 4, the names of their groups by which they may be recognised by the commission, and the symbols which may be allotted to the candidates fielded, if any, by the respective groups.

    “They may indicate the names of three free symbols, in the order of their preference, anyone of which may be allotted to their candidates by the Commission,” the EC said.

    After the demise of LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan last year, his son Chirag Paswan and the late leader’s brother Paras have staked claim over the party leadership and had approached the poll panel in this regard.

  • Judge recuses from hearing anticipatory bail plea of LJP MP Prince Raj in rape case

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: A judge, who had reserved the order on the the anticipatory bail application of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) MP Prince Raj in an alleged rape case, on Tuesday recused himself from the matter citing personal reasons.

    Special Judge MK Nagpal sent the matter back to the District Judge who is likely to assign it to a new judge on Wednesday to hear the application afresh.

    The court had earlier reserved the order on the application after the conclusion of the arguments of all lawyers.

    During the argument Raj’s counsel had urged the court to grant him protection from arrest in the case and submitted that the case was related to “honey trap and extortion”.

    “There is no rape victim here, it’s a false case. My client is innocent,” Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa, appearing for Raj, had submitted and termed the case as “frivolous”.

    “The complainant and her friend have been extorting him since 2020 and my client lodged an FIR of extortion in the Parliament Street Police Station on February 10 this year. She threatened to malign his reputation if he did not pay the extortion amount,” advocate Nitesh Rana, also appearing for Raj, had said.

    He had added that Raj gave her Rs 2 lakh but the extortion still continued.

    After the filing of FIR by Raj, both the complainant and her friend had to take an anticipatory bail from the court, he had added.

    The Delhi Police had opposed the plea and sought his custodial interrogation alleging that video clips have objectionable content as claimed by the victim.

    Raj had on September 14 moved an anticipatory bail plea before the court after a case was filed against him for allegedly raping a former party member.

    The woman, who claims that she was an LJP worker, has alleged that she was raped and molested while she was unconscious.

    An FIR was registered following the instructions of a Delhi court almost three months after the victim filed a complaint with the police in Delhi.

  • Chirag Paswan’s LJP to fight Bihar bypolls against JDU

    Express News Service

    PATNA: The Lok Janshakti Party (Chirag Faction) will not sit idle during the forthcoming by-elections necessitated in Bihar’s two assembly seats after the deaths of the sitting MLAs of ruling JD-U. The Chirag Paswan faction has decided to field candidates against NDA ally JDU.

    “The LJP will also go in the by-elections alone and field its candidates in two assembly seats of Tarapur in Munger and the Kusheshwarsthan in Darbhanga”, Chirag Paswan told the media. Chirag said that the party has started working to win both the seats. “We are working on the selection of candidates and their names will be announced later”, he said, adding that the LJP will continue working for the people’s rights and welfare.

    “We are holding a review meeting. A formal announcement will also be made by the LJP Parliamentary Board”, Chirag told the media.

    In the 2020 Bihar assembly elections, LJP had contested alone and fielded candidates against the JD-U candidates. Chirag’s party had caused a lot of damage to JD-U in particular by diverting the votes including that of the Paswan community.

    Mevalal Chaudhary was elected from the Tarapur in Munger and Shashibhushan Hazari from Kusheshwarsthan in Darbhanga were elected on the JD-U tickets in 2020 assembly elections. Unfortunately, both the MLAs passed away due to the COVID-19 infection necessitating the by-elections.

    The JD-U has a natural claim over the vacant seats in NDA. The decision of LJP to field its candidates may turn the contest tougher for them than the last time. Chirag Paswan, during his much-trumpeted Ashirwad Yatra, had received massive support from the people of his community and others in Munger and Darbhanga districts. Although the election has not been announced yet, political parties have started their preparations claiming to win the by-elections.

    RJD – the principal opposition party has also decided to put up candidates in both seats. Political pundits here say that the voters of the Paswan community in Tarapur and Kusheshwarashthan are in deciding number and had decided the results in the last few assembly and the LS elections.

  • LJP MP and Chirag Paswan’s cousin Prince Raj booked for rape by Delhi police

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Lok Janshakti Party MP Prince Paswan has been booked under rape charges by the Delhi Police, officials said on Tuesday.

    A senior police officer said the case was registered on the direction of court.

    “The court’s direction came on Thursday and a case has been registered under relevant sections at the Connaught Place Police Station,” the officer said.

    ALSO READ | Woman files rape complaint against LJP MP and Chirag Paswan’s cousin Prince Raj

    Prince is a Member of Parliament from Samastipur in Bihar.

    Chirag Paswan had mentioned a complaint of sexual misconduct against Prince back in June this year.

    In the complaint filed by a woman, who was associated with the party, it was alleged that Prince Raj raped her after sedating her drink.

    (Inputs from ENS, PTI)

  • After Tejashwi’s support, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi calls for Paswan statue in Patna

    Express News Service

    PATNA: The Lok Janshakti Party (Chirag group) might be not in good political terms with the ruling BJP in Bihar after the last assembly elections but BJP’s one of the senior most leader and former deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi came out in support of installation of statue of veteran leader and founder of LJP Ram Vilas Paswan.

    A day before Modi’s coming out in support of Paswan’s statue in Patna, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had demanded the installation of Paswan’s statue in Patna.

    This turn of support, albeit without naming Tejashwi Yadav for his demand on the same, Sushil Kumar Modi on Saturday took everyone in NDA by their suprise demanding statue of Ram Vilas Paswan in Patna.

    “Considering the contribution and big role played by Ram Vilas Paswan in the development and national politics of Bihar, his statue should be installed in Patna,” Modi said in a series of tweets from his official Twitter handle.

    Political experts in Patna were also surprised on the events as for the first time the junior Modi from Bihar has never ]directly or indirectly supported any statement on the demand of leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav.

    Modi is considered the die hard opposed to Lalu Yadav’s family in Bihar politics.

    Modi went a step further from Tejashwi Yadav with the demand of State function on the birth anniversary of late Ram Vilas Paswan owing to Paswan’s struggle and continuous fight for the advancement of Dalits.

    “Paswan never did politics of hate and he was the main architect of NDA politics. He served the country under the successful government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi,” he said, adding that Bihar can never forget his contribution as Railway Minister also.

    He said that on the first anniversary of a leader like Paswan, people from all parties and sections should pay tribute to him. “There should be no politics on this,” he said obliquely, taking a jibe on Tejashwi Yadav recent few statements.

    Modi on the eve of Paswan’s first death anniversary said that Paswan after the lifting of emergency in 1977, had made a record of winning by the highest margin of votes.

    Modi’s statements have come at a time when Chirag Paswan, the son of late Ram Vilas Paswan, himself met all BJP leaders and invited them on the death anniversary on Sunday.

    CM Nitish Kumar has also been invited but whether he would go or not is still not confirmed. Chirag Paswan had sought time from Nitish Kumar, that was not given to him.

    Recently, Chirag Paswan also met RJD chief Lalu Prasad in Delhi and invited him.

    Lalu’s statements of assuring all supports to Chirag Paswan had sent the NDA leaders, especially the JDU MLAs, into a political tizzy.

    Now, Modi’s support for statue of Paswan in Patna has sparked a debate inside the NDA with a speculation about growing ideological and political differences between BJP and JDU.

  • BJP opposes installation of Ram Vilas Paswan’s bust at former Delhi residence, RJD demands it in Patna

    By Express News Service

    PATNA: In a declaration, BJP in Bihar has opposed the installation of the bust of LJP founder and former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan at the premises of his previous residence in Janpath, New Delhi.

    Ram Vilas Paswan’s bust was installed hurriedly after a notice for eviction of the bungalow was served to Jamui MP and his son, Chirag Paswan, who now heads another faction of the LJP after his uncle split the party.

    The 8-inch-tall bust of Ram Vilas Paswan was been installed at the center of the bungalow, a week ahead of Paswan’s first death anniversary on September 12.

    The bungalow had been reallocated to Union Railway and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav after Paswan’s demise, by the central government, however, the Paswan family has been living there for the last 30 years.

    The controversy started after the assembly polls strained political ties between the LJP and BJP, following which, the notice for eviction was served to Chirag Paswan.

    Taking note of the bust’s installation, BJP national general secretary of OBC Morcha Dr Nikhil Anand in Patna said: “RV Paswan was a great leader..but the way Chirag Paswan has installed the bust of his father at his Delhi residence is wrong. All things have a process.”

    He further said that Chirag Paswan should have followed the proper procedure and shown maturity.

    “Chirag Paswan should have given a petition to the government’s concerned department before installation of his father’s bust. But he didn’t. This act is against the parliamentary procedures and he (Chirag Paswan) needs to be a little more sensitive,” Anand said, adding that tactics like this may spoil Chirag’s political prospects.

    On other hand, showing solidarity to Chirag Paswan a day after meeting him, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday demanded the installation of Ram Vilas Paswan’s bust in Patna, along with the statue of former RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh.

    “I demand the state government to install the statues of both Ram Vilas Paswan and Raghuvansh Prasad Singh in Patna as they were Bihar’s leaders,” Tejashwi said.

    He also added that both these leaders’ death anniversaries should be included in the list of state-sponsored functions.

    BJP leader Pramod Kumar responded to the ‘demand’ stating that there is no problem with following through with these installations but statues of the party’s stalwarts like Kailashpati Mishra and others should also be installed.