Lok Sabha 2024: RLJP leader Pashupati Kumar Paras tendered his resignation from the Narendra Modi Cabinet on Tuesday, following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision to favor his nephew, Chirag Paswan, who leads a faction of the Lok Janshakti Party, over him.

His party, RLJP, was not allocated any seats in the seat-sharing agreement announced by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Monday for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Bihar.

In the preceding week, the Union Minister criticized the BJP for allegedly neglecting his faction of the LJP and hinted at the possibility of exiting the ruling National Democratic Alliance, asserting that they were “free” to explore other options as the “doors are open.”

Following the BJP’s decision to strike a seat-sharing agreement with Chirag Paswan, ignoring the claims of the Union Minister over several Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, including Hajipur, Pashupati Kumar Paras expressed his disappointment with the ruling party.

In response, Paras asserted his intention to contest from Hajipur, a seat that had been contested over between him and Paswan. Despite his nephew’s indication that his party would vie for the seat, citing addressed concerns by the BJP, Paras stood firm on his decision.

The Lok Janshakti Party, previously led by Ram Vilas Paswan, underwent a split following his demise in 2020. Paras assumed leadership of the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), while his son Chirag Paswan heads the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), both factions being part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

During a press conference, Paras expressed his disappointment with the BJP, citing the lack of “due preference” given to his party regarding seat-sharing in Bihar for the Lok Sabha polls. He urged the BJP leadership to reconsider its decision, emphasizing that the RLJP has been an “honest ally” of the BJP. Paras highlighted that his party holds five MPs in the state, suggesting that this should have been considered in the decision-making process.

Asserting that the RLJP has upheld its “friendship” with the BJP, Paras stated that justice has not been served to his party in this instance. He announced that they would await the official announcement of candidates by the BJP before making any further decisions.