‘Dynastic Politics’? NDA’s Bihar Ally Upendra Kushwaha Faces Party Revolt As 7 Leaders Quit: Report | Politics News

RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha is facing a major crisis within his party after his decision to elevate his son to a ministerial berth in Bihar. (Image: PTI/File)

The NDA’s Bihar ally, Upendra Kushwaha is facing a major revolt within his party, Rashtriya Lok Morcha, after his controversial decision to promote his son, who is neither an MLA nor an MLC, for a ministerial post.

Triggered by party chief Upendra Kushwaha’s choice, seven high-ranking leaders, including national vice president Jitendra Nath and state president Mahendra Kushwaha, have reportedly quit the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) accusing him of “pariwaarvad”.

Both Jitendra Nath and Mahendra Kushwaha accused Upendra of abandoning his “socialist principles” in favour of “promoting his family”.

“He (Upendra Kushwaha) spoke of moral values and ethics but did not follow them himself,” Mahendra told The Indian Express.

Calling him a “fallen pillar of socialist politics”, Mahendra severely criticised Upendra for choosing his family over loyal party members and the four RLM MLAs, who were recently elected.

The seven leaders who reportedly resigned from the RLM are national vice president Jitendra Nath, state president Mahendra Kushwaha, state general secretary and spokesperson Rahul Kumar, state general secretary and Nalanda in-charge Rajesh Ranjan Singh, state general secretary and Jamui incharge Bipin Kumar Chourasia, state general secretary and Lakhisarai incharge Pramod Yadav, and Shekhpura district president Pappu Mandal. 

Nath, who was considered the RLM’s official number two, characterised the party chief’s decision as “blatant favouritism”. He told the Express that he has been with him for nine years, stressing that he was unsure about his own political future and was therefore “seeming desperate to promote his family”.

Spokesperson Rahul Kumar described his resignation as a “one-sided affair that came to an end”, and noted that Upendra had “fallen into the trap of dynastic politics”.

“Now, there is no difference between him and other leaders who have only promoted their family,” he was quoted.

The controversy arose despite the RLM’s strong performance in the recent Bihar assembly elections, where it won four out of the six seats it contested as part of the NDA. It has secured one ministerial berth.

Upendra Kushwaha’s family already holds significant political positions, with him serving as a Rajya Sabha MP and his wife, Snehlata Kushwaha, the Sasaram MLA.

Earlier, Upendra defended his decision to induct his son, Deepak Prakash, into the cabinet. He rejected the idea that his choice was based on family ties, stressing that his son is a “qualified computer engineer”.

Responding to criticism, he argued that a minister should be chosen based on “ability and talent”, not caste or family background. He indirectly mentioned RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, saying Deepak “is not someone who failed in school” and urged critics to “give him some time to prove himself”.

“Deepak Prakash is not someone who failed in school. He worked hard, earned a degree in computer science engineering, and has inherited good values from his ancestors. Give him some time to prove himself. He will meet your expectations and trust,” he said.

Deepak Prakash, who was sworn in as the only RLM minister in Nitish Kumar’s government, is not a member of the state legislature. Upendra, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha with BJP’s support after coming third in the Karakat seat in last year’s general elections, also said he regretted merging his Rashtriya Lok Samta Party with Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) a few years ago.

He started the RLM before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. “No matter how much criticism I get, this step was necessary to save and protect the party’s future,” he said. “Since yesterday, I have been watching people’s reactions to our party’s decision. Some criticism is healthy, while some is biased. I respect healthy criticism. It teaches us and helps us grow.”

He further admitted that people would accuse him of nepotism, but said he had to make a tough choice for the party’s future.

“Samudra Manthan produces both nectar and poison. Some people have to drink the poison. My current decision will lead to accusations of nepotism. Still, I made this decision,” he added.

(With agency inputs)