The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition in Bihar is facing a significant upheaval as the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) party, a key ally, appears to be heading towards a split. This turmoil follows a revolt by three out of four of its MLAs, fueled by dissatisfaction over party chief Upendra Kushwaha’s recent decision to appoint his son, Deepak Prakash, to a ministerial position. The appointment has sparked outrage among party members who feel sidelined, especially since Prakash is not an elected legislator.
Upendra Kushwaha’s move to place his son in the cabinet led to a backlash from other party members, who accused him of engaging in dynastic politics. They expressed their frustration over Kushwaha’s preferential treatment towards his family while ignoring the contributions of other party members. The RLM had previously allied with the NDA, contesting six seats in the recent Bihar Assembly elections and winning four, including victories by Alok Kumar Singh from Dinara and Madhav Anand from Madhubani.
During a recent event hosted by Kushwaha, three rebel MLAs made a notable appearance, which coincided with a meeting with Nitin Nabin, the national executive president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Following this, Anand and Mahato traveled to Delhi to meet with BJP leaders, igniting speculation that they might join the BJP. However, MLA Madhav Anand clarified that their meeting with Nabin was merely a courtesy call, emphasizing their loyalty to the RLM while expressing discontent with Kushwaha’s actions.
Criticism of Kushwaha’s unilateral decision to appoint his son as minister has been vocal, with MLA Rameshwar Mahato indicating that such actions contradict Kushwaha’s previous stance against dynastic politics. Mahato stated that Kushwaha did not consult the other MLAs before making this appointment, leading to discontent within the party. He insisted that their meeting with Nabin did not indicate a shift to the BJP, but rather was a means to voice their grievances.
Despite the growing dissent, Upendra Kushwaha has not publicly addressed the rebellion within his party. Some RLM members have downplayed the situation, suggesting that it has been exaggerated and expressing confidence that order will soon be restored. Notably, this unrest comes on the heels of a recent exodus of seven leaders, including senior figure Jitendra Nath, from the party, all protesting against Kushwaha’s decision to favor his son.
The BJP has cautiously responded to the internal strife within the RLM, stating that it is an internal matter for the party. Meanwhile, the Janata Dal (United), another key player in Bihar politics, has suggested that Kushwaha should take cues from Jitan Ram Manjhi, who has successfully maintained unity within his faction. Manjhi is also pushing for one of the five soon-to-be-vacant Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, underscoring the competitive nature of the political landscape.
Revolts and dissatisfaction are not new for Upendra Kushwaha. Following the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, two RLM MLAs and one MLC had defected to the JD(U), yet he managed to retain his leadership. Political analysts are keenly observing how he will navigate this latest crisis, as the fate of the RLM hangs in the balance amidst calls for reform and accountability.
