BJP Ally in Bihar Faces Revolt as Seven Leaders Quit Rashtriya Lok Morcha Over Kushwaha’s Controversial Decision

BJP Ally in Bihar Faces Major Revolt: Seven Leaders Quit Rashtriya Lok Morcha, Slam Kushwaha’s Promotion of Son for Ministerial Post

Revolt Within Bihar’s BJP Ally Rashtriya Lok Morcha
The BJP’s ally in Bihar, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), is witnessing a major internal crisis after party chief Upendra Kushwaha’s controversial decision to promote his son, Deepak Prakash, for a ministerial post. Deepak, who is neither an MLA nor an MLC, was sworn in as the sole RLM minister in Nitish Kumar’s cabinet, triggering widespread dissent among senior leaders. Seven top-ranking party members, including national vice president Jitendra Nath and state president Mahendra Kushwaha, have resigned, calling the move a clear instance of “pariwaarvad” or nepotism.

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Key Leaders Resign, Accusing Kushwaha of Nepotism
The leaders who reportedly quit include national vice president Jitendra Nath, state president Mahendra Kushwaha, state general secretaries Rahul Kumar, Rajesh Ranjan Singh, Bipin Kumar Chourasia, Pramod Yadav, and Shekhpura district president Pappu Mandal. Jitendra Nath, considered the party’s number two, described the decision as “blatant favouritism” and expressed uncertainty about his own political future due to what he termed an apparent obsession with family promotion. Mahendra Kushwaha accused Upendra of abandoning socialist principles in favour of family loyalty, calling him a “fallen pillar of socialist politics.”

Leaders Criticize Kushwaha’s Shift to Dynastic Politics
Rahul Kumar, the party spokesperson, described his resignation as an inevitable outcome of a “one-sided affair” and highlighted that Upendra had “fallen into the trap of dynastic politics.” Other dissenting leaders echoed similar sentiments, stressing that the party had performed well in the recent Bihar assembly elections, winning four of the six seats it contested, but that merit and loyalty were being sidelined for personal interests. The revolt underscores growing tensions within the BJP ally, raising questions about the party’s internal democracy and leadership decisions.

Kushwaha Defends His Son’s Appointment
Responding to criticism, Upendra Kushwaha defended the induction of his son, emphasizing that Deepak Prakash is a “qualified computer engineer” and that ministerial positions should be based on talent rather than caste or family background. He indirectly addressed detractors, including RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, stating, “Deepak is not someone who failed in school. Give him some time to prove himself.” Kushwaha acknowledged that accusations of nepotism were inevitable but argued that the decision was necessary to secure the party’s future.

Political Background of Upendra Kushwaha and RLM
Upendra Kushwaha, a Rajya Sabha MP, started the RLM ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections after previously merging his Rashtriya Lok Samta Party with Nitish Kumar’s JD(U). His family already holds influential positions in Bihar politics, with his wife Snehlata Kushwaha serving as Sasaram MLA. Despite RLM’s success in the Bihar assembly elections and securing a ministerial berth, internal dissent indicates that senior leaders are dissatisfied with leadership priorities and the prioritization of family ties over party principles.

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Implications for Bihar Politics and NDA
The revolt within the BJP ally in Bihar may have wider political ramifications. Senior leaders quitting the RLM signals potential instability within the NDA coalition ahead of future elections. Party unity, leadership accountability, and merit-based governance are now under scrutiny. Analysts suggest that how Upendra Kushwaha manages this dissent could influence the party’s performance in upcoming electoral contests and its bargaining power within the NDA framework.

Conclusion: A Test of Leadership Amid Nepotism Allegations
The resignation of seven prominent leaders from Bihar’s RLM highlights the growing criticism of Kushwaha’s leadership style and his focus on family promotion. While he defends his son’s capabilities and frames the decision as essential for the party’s future, the revolt underscores tensions between leadership authority and meritocracy within a regional political outfit. Observers continue to watch closely how this internal crisis will affect the party’s credibility, public image, and alignment within the BJP-led NDA in Bihar.

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