EXCLUSIVE: My uncle Pashupati Paras betrayed me, says Chirag Paswan

Lok Janshakti Party lost its political significance soon after the death of its founder Ram Vilas Paswan. His son and LJP leader Chirag Paswan who led the party, post his father's demise, is now in a state of perplexity over what to do in a back-breaking situation. He lost all his political friends including his uncle Pashupati Paras. In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Paswan said that he had no inkling that the LJP would disintegrate in a few months after the death of his father Ram Vilas Paswan. He held his uncle Pashupati Paras responsible for the split in the party.

New Delhi: Soon after the death of Ram Vilas Paswan, the founder leader of the Lok Janshakti Party and a key Dalit leader at the centre, the party lost its verve. His son and LJP leader Chirag Paswan who led the party, post his father's demise, is now in a state of perplexity over what to do in a back-breaking situation. He lost all his political friends including his uncle Pashupati Paras. In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Paswan said, "I had no inkling that the family and the LJP would disintegrate in a few months after the death of my father Ram Vilas Paswan. My younger uncle Ramchandra Paswan passed away a few years ago, then my father passed away."

When asked what prompted the differences between him and his uncle Pashupati Paras, Chirag said, "In normal circumstances my uncle Pashupati Paras could have taken complete responsibility. He had to take everyone along, but he betrayed me. He backstabbed me. I am deeply pained that a family member betraying me."

Asked whether he's considering to join any party, Chirag said, "I will not take any decision on whether I will go with the Grand Alliance and join the RJD or stay with the BJP in NDA and make a deal with Nitish Kumar. All this is not necessary for me right now. The people of Bihar are important to me. Whatever the people of Bihar and the party want, I will take the decision accordingly.

Chirag had supported the Modi government on all issues including the Ram temple, triple talaq bill and the CAA. Before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the LJP had forged an alliance with the BJP, at a time when other parties were reluctant to ally in a bid to secure the votes of certain sections.

However, following LJP's alliance with the BJP, many other parties joined the NDA. Also, Chirag who had come to the rescue of the Modi government during the crisis described himself as the 'Hanuman' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chirag's visit to Ahmedabad to meet a close confidante of PM Modi had triggered speculations in Bihar that the BJP would openly support Chirag. Reacting to this, Chirag said it was purely a personal visit to the city. On the other hand, sources said that Chirag might make some big announcement soon to start a new chapter in Bihar politics.

Read:Chirag's Gujarat visit and politics behind the curtain

But soon cracks within the LJP surfaced, and MP Pashupati Paras went on record saying some anti-social elements within the party were the reason behind LJP's downfall, indirectly blaming Chirag's childhood friend Saurabh Pandey. "If Pashupati Paras had a problem with Saurabh Pandey, then Paras could have spoken about it to my father, mother or us on this issue, but he never discussed about Saurav Pandey with anyone," Chirag said, adding, "The truth is Saurabh Pandey was closer to Paras uncle than me. My uncle used to discuss a lot of things pertaining to party with Saurav."

When asked then who was responsible for the split in the party, Chirag said, "The party was broken not because of Saurabh Pandey. Pashupati Paras broke the party for his political ambitions and his situation has now become worse. Neither any BJP leader nor Chief Minister Nitish Kumar are talking to him."

The LJP leader said that "95 per cent of LJP people are with me. The people of Bihar are also with me. Pashupati Paras is isolated. That is why he is sometimes targeting Saurabh out of fear and saying that the party is not broken, only the leadership has changed."

On being questioned about Paras becoming a minister in the central government from the LJP quota, Chirag said, "I will go to court because I had expelled five MPs including Paras earlier, however, they later colluded and elected Paras as the leader of the parliamentary party. Paras is not the leader of the LJP. I have no issues if he becomes a minister in the central government by forming his own party."

On 5th July, the birth anniversary of Ram Vilas Paswan, Chirag will start the Ashirwad Yatra in Bihar and visit every district. The LJP leader received 25 lakh votes during the recently held Bihar elections. "People openly supported me in the last elections. I will thank the people personally for their support," Chirag said.

Read:Chirag Paswan meets senior BJP leader in Ahmedabad?; he says on private visit in city