LJP cadres divided over support to two factions

PATNA: The members of Paswan community feel shocked over the upheaval in the LJP founded by Dalit leader late Ram Vilas Paswan about 21 years ago even before his ‘barsi’ (one year).
“I am yet to overcome the shock following the death of Ram Vilas Paswan, who was popular among all sections of society,” said Awadhesh Singh, former representative of senior Paswan in Hajipur Lok Sabha constituency.
Majority of the residents of Hajipur, Mahnar and Mahua subdivisions in Vaishali district, which have a sizeable population of Paswan community, still repose faith in the leadership of Ram Vilas's son .
“Though the coup is not good in the larger interest of the party, it’s sure that Chirag will have an edge over rebels in the days to come. He will now emerge as the sole leader of LJP like Tejashwi Prasad Yadav in RJD,” said Gopi Paswan of Sultanpur in Vaishali.
Ram Vilas was elected as MP from Hajipur with record margins. “It was because of the senior Paswan's popularity that his younger brother Pashupati Kumar Paras won from Hajipur in 2019 elections,” said Mantu Paswan of Chamrahra village near Mahnar.
The workers of LJP of Samastipur, from where Chirag's cousin and rebel Prince Raj won on the LJP ticket, said it would be a litmus test for Chirag to prove his political acumen. Prince, the LJP state president, is the son of former Samastipur MP late Ram Chandra Paswan.
However, some people from Alouli from where Paras (the leader of the party rebels) was earlier elected to the state assembly, said it was expected after the death of Ram Vilas. “It’s Chirag's autocratic attitude, which led to the coup in the party. He seldom interacts with the workers. He doesn’t even respond to phone calls from the people of his native district,” said Mukesh Paswan of Alouli Bazar.
A group of people belonging to the Paswan community from Nawada said the coup was a fallout of internal conflict in the Paswan's family. “Paras was sidelined by Chirag ever since he was nominated as national president of the party,” said Vivek Paswan, a diehard supporter of LJP.
Most of the party workers are confused as to whom to support as both the warring groups belong to the same family.
However, a large section of people from Hajipur oppose the national executive meeting to be held in Patna by the rebels.
Meanwhile, a group of Chirag supporters created a scene outside the party office in Patna and shouted slogans against rebels led by Paras.