Bihar: RLJP chief Pashupati Paras quits NDA, keeps options open

As Bihar gears up for assembly elections, the BJP-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) has suffered a significant blow with Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) chief announcing his party’s exit from the alliance.

Accusing the NDA and marginalisation, Paras hinted at aligning with the Congress-led INDIA bloc ahead of the polls.

The timing of his announcement — on Ambedkar Jayanti — was symbolic. "I announce that until today, we were with the NDA and from today, we will no longer be an ally of the NDA. I chose Ambedkar Jayanti to make this declaration. Today, I have shown who the true leader of the Dalits is," Paras said at an RLJP programme held at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna.

His move, analysts say, was a message to Dalit voters in Bihar. Paras, the uncle of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief , another NDA ally, belongs to the Paswan community, which constitutes about five per cent of Bihar’s population.

बापू सभागार, पटना में राष्ट्रीय लोक जनशक्ति पार्टी एवं दलित सेना के तत्वावधान में भारत रत्न बाबा साहेब भीमराव अम्बेडकर जी की जयंती बड़े हर्लोल्लास के साथ मनाई गई। pic.twitter.com/ZRrdF6ZiMB

— Pashupati Kumar Paras (@PashupatiParas) April 14, 2025

Though Paras has not formally entered into an agreement with the opposition alliance, he has left the door open. “There have been no talks with so far,” he clarified, even as he expressed willingness to consider a tie-up “if given due respect”.

Speaking to ANI, Paras said, “I was with the NDA from 2014 until now. We were loyal allies. But during the Lok Sabha elections, injustice was done to us, possibly because we are a Dalit party. Still, in the national interest, we supported the NDA.”

He accused the BJP and its allies of systematically sidelining the RLJP. “In Bihar, whenever NDA meetings were held over the last 6–8 months, the BJP and JD(U) state presidents referred to themselves as the ‘five Pandavas’ — our party’s name was never mentioned. We felt humiliated,” he said, adding that the RLJP has now launched a state-wide membership drive and plans to contest all 243 assembly seats.

He also took aim at Union home minister Amit Shah, accusing him of insulting Dr B.R. Ambedkar. “The home minister , [in Parliament] and the country saw it,” he alleged.

Recounting his ties with RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Paras said, “Even while unwell, Lalu ji visited my house on 15 January and honoured me. I was an MLA for 30 years and served as a minister in his government. I have always had cordial relations with him and his party."

VIDEO | Patna: On Former Union Minister and RLJP president Pashupati Kumar Paras parting ways with NDA, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi (@jitanrmanjhi) says, “This is not new. The news had been going on for past two months when he (referring to Pashupati Kumar Paras) met Lalu… pic.twitter.com/QlbO0dvkZz

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 14, 2025

"This is not new. The news was circulating for two months, since he (Paras) met Lalu Yadav. He has just announced it today… the NDA will face no loss," said Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Paras' exit from the NDA.

Though no formal alliance has been announced, the RLJP’s departure from the NDA signals shifting equations in Bihar politics. The party now appears poised to explore options beyond the NDA, with Paras making it clear that “respect and honour” will determine future political partnerships.