Upendra Kushwaha to contest from Karakat, Brishen joins RLSP

PATNA: Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief Upendra Kushwaha, who was visibly happy after former state minister Brishen Patel joined the party on Sunday, made it clear that he (Kushwaha) would contest from Karakat seat in the Lok Sabha election.

Patel, the RLSP’s new recruit, had resigned as state president of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) in February this year.

Both Kushwaha and Patel chose the occasion to lash out at PM Narendra Modi and CM Nitish Kumar. “Brishenji had played an important role in bringing Nitish to power. His contribution was immense in strengthening the then Samta Party. However, Nitish is an opportunist leader. He forgot Brishenji’s contributions after coming to power,” Kushwaha said, adding Patel’s joining would further strengthen the RLSP.

Taking a dig at PM Modi, Kushwaha said the ‘chowkidar’ of the rich was out to crush the people from reserved categories. “In the recent recruitment of RPF personnel in railways, the cut off for OBC was more than general,” Kushwaha said.

Asked why his party was delaying in declaring the names of its candidates for the Lok Sabha election, Kushwaha said the announcements would be made soon.

Kushwaha refused to comment on “tussle” in RJD supremo Lalu Prasad’s family, which became apparent after the mercurial leader’s elder son Tej Pratap asked one of his supporters to file nomination papers against RJD’s official nominee from Jehanabad. “I will not comment on it. It is a family matter,” Kushwaha said.

Patel said he would not contest the election, but try his best to strengthen the RLSP. “The day I left HAM (S), I had said I was not leaving GA. I had three options – RJD, Congress and RLSP and I opted for RLSP, which is mainly focusing on improvement in education scenario in the state,” Patel said.

“Since PM is coming to Bihar, he should bring the report of DNAs Nitish had sent to him,” Patel said.

Apart from Patel, JD(U) leader Awadh Kishore Sinha and large number of other HAM (S) members also joined the RLSP on Sunday.