Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal

The Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (abbr. RLJD)^[1][2][3] is an Indian political party formally announced by Upendra Kushwaha on 20 February 2023, in Bihar after resignation from Janata Dal (United). The party's ideology is based on the ideals of Karpoori Thakur.^[4][5] The foundation of the party was preceded by a two day conference organised by Upendra Kushwaha in Patna, in which he invoked the participation of all the members of Mahatama Phule Samata Parishad, a socio-political organisation and his trusted aides in Janata Dal (United). In the backdrop of this conference the foundation of the party was announced.^[6][7]

Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal
Abbreviation	RLJD
Leader	Upendra Kushwaha
President	Upendra Kushwaha
Founder	Upendra Kushwaha
Founded	20 February 2023 (8 months ago) (2023-02-20)
Split from	Janata Dal (United)
ECI Status	Registered unrecognised party
Alliance	National Democratic Alliance
Seats in Lok Sabha	0 / 543
Seats in Rajya Sabha	0 / 245
Seats in Bihar Legislative Assembly	0 / 243
Politics of India Political parties Elections

History

 

Upendra Kushwaha (then the president of Rashtriya Lok Samata Party) in 2014, as the Minister of State for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation, addressing at the inauguration of the National Conference of ‘Bank of Ideas and Innovations’, in New Delhi.

In 2020 Bihar Legislative Assembly election, Upendra Kushwaha, then the president of Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), formed a third front called Grand Democratic Secular Front, which included parties with minor presence in Bihar. The front included Bahujan Samaj Party and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen.^[8] The coalition performed poorly in Bihar Assembly elections of 2020, winning only 6 seats.^[9] The Rashtriya Lok Samata Party failed to win any seat, but was responsible for defeat of Janata Dal (United) (JDU) in over dozens of constituencies.^[10] Due to shift of Kushwaha voters to RLSP, JDU became a junior partner in National Democratic Alliance, with its seats significantly reduced in Bihar Legislative Assembly in comparison to its partner Bhartiya Janata Party.^[11]

After the results were out, JDU reorganised itself by analysing the causes of its defeat and Upendra Kushwaha was invited to join the party once again. Kushwaha merged his Rashtriya Lok Samata Party into Janata Dal (United) and was made the President of Parliamentary Board of JDU.^[12] The JDU also nominated him to Bihar Legislative Council. Few months later, the rumours of Nitish Kumar selecting Tejashwi Yadav as his successor caused uneasiness for many members of JDU. Kushwaha now emerged as the critic of Tejashwi Yadav.^[13] He demanded his share in JDU and refused to accept the leadership of Yadav.^[14] Amidst verbal attacks by the spokespersons and leaders of JDU, he organised a two day conference in Patna, in which all the members of his defunct Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, who were in JDU were invited.^[15] The members of another organisation led by him called Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad were also invited in this conference.^[16] On 20 February 2023, in this two day conference, the Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal was founded.^[17]

Kushwaha launched his Virasat Bachao Yatra, a statewide tour in Bihar after the foundation of Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal.^[18][19] The party was said to be formed in a bid to prohibit the Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav from becoming the new face of Mahagathbandhan and the successor of Nitish Kumar as the Chief Minister of Bihar.^[20][21] The RLJD also organised Samrat Ashok Jayanti (celebration of anniversary of Ashoka in Samrat Ashok International Convention Centre (Bapu Sabhagaar), Patna on 2 March 2023 in a bid to attract the Kushwaha (Koeri) caste to the party.^[22][23] Few days after it, the party announced the list of its office bearers. The list included some of the old allies of Upendra Kushwaha like Fazal Imam Mallick and Madhav Anand, who were associated with him from the time of Rashtriya Lok Samata Party. Some new entrants were also given significant position; Jitendra Nath, who is reported to have significant hold on Dhanuk and Kurmi caste in Magadh region was made National Vice President while former Member of Bihar Legislative Assembly from Ziradei Assembly constituency, Ramesh Singh Kushwaha was appointed as the Bihar state president of the party.^[24]

Organisation

 

Route to Kushwaha Ashram, the headquarter of RLJD in Hajipur, where official meetings are conducted involving party workers.

• Jitendra Nath, Vice President (Organization)
• Madhav Anand, Principal General Secretary
• Fazal Imam Mallick, General Secretary cum Spokesperson

List of Bihar State Office bearers^[24]

• Ramesh Singh Kushwaha (Former MLA), State President
• Madan Chowdhary, Vice President, (Organization)
• Subhash Chandravanshi, General Secretary
• Brajendra Kumar Pappu, General Secretary cum spokesperson
• Rahul Kumar, General Secretary cum Spokesperson
• Rampukar Sinha, General Secretary cum Spokesperson
• Himanshu Patel, State President, Youth Cell
• Ashok Ram, State President, Scheduled Caste Cell

References

1. "Latest Updates: At 33.6 °C, Delhi records third highest temp for Feb in last 55 years". The Times of India. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
2. Bureau, ABP News (20 February 2023). "Upendra Kushwaha Resigns From Bihar CM Nitish's JDU, Floats Own Party Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal". ABP Live. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
3. "Upendra Kushwaha quits JD(U), floats Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal". India Today. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
4. "Upendra Kushwaha quits JD(U), floats new party". Indian express. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
5. "Cutting ties with JD(U), Kushwaha floats new party with eye on NDA, targets Nitish". Indian express. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
6. "JD(U) shows rebellious Upendra Kushwaha the door". Times of India. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
7. "Kushwaha urges JD(U) leaders to join meeting on party's 'special deal' with RJD". The Hindu. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
8. "Bihar elections: Third front may prove kingmaker with 10% votes". Indian express. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
9. "The Numbers Hide a Political Churning in Bihar". The Wire. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
10. "Why Nitish is unlikely to expel Kushwaha from JD(U) & lose 'core votebank', despite widening rift". The Print. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
11. "JDU tally lowest in 15 yrs, Nitish 'unwilling' but BJP persuades him to stay Bihar CM". Indian express. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
12. "RLSP merges with JD(U), Kushwaha made chairman of party's parliamentary board". Indian express. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
13. "Upendra Kushwaha interview: 'Nitish's move to project Tejashwi as Bihar's future leader signals JD(U)'s end'". Indian express. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
14. "Seeking my share in JD(U) like Nitish did from Lalu: Upendra Kushwaha". Indian express. February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
15. "Lalan Singh slams Kushwaha, dubs his two-day convention 'unauthorised'". Hindustan Times. 19 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
16. "उपेंद्र की सियासी ताकत का 'MF' फैक्टर, जानिए इसी के सहारे JDU की नींद हराम कर रहे कुशवाहा". Navbharat Times (in Hindi). Retrieved 3 March 2023.
17. "Upendra Kushwaha resigns from JD(U), announces formation of a new political party". The Hindu. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
18. "RLJD leader Upendra Kushwaha begins 'Virasat Bachao Yatra' in Bihar". Times of India. March 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
19. "Kushwaha to launch 'Birasat Bachao Naman Yatra' from West Champaran on February 28". new Indian express. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
20. "Upendra Kushwaha okay with anybody except Tejashwi Yadav as lead". financial express. 8 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
21. "Upendra Kushwaha interview: 'Nitish's move to project Tejashwi as Bihar's future leader signals JD(U)'s end'". Indian express. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
22. "Bihar politics rallying around Emperor Ashoka to woo Kushwaha votes". The Statesman. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
23. "Amit Shah coming to Bihar, Nitish invokes the new king among castes — Emperor Ashoka". indian express. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
24. "Upendra Kushwaha: जीतेंद्र नाथ को उपेंद्र कुशवाहा ने बनाया उपाध्यक्ष, लव-कुश वोट बैंक में सेंधमारी की कोशिश". Navbharat Times (in Hindi). Retrieved 3 March 2023.