LJP scuffle: Chirag Paswan to lead Bihar roadshow in July

Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan said that he will be leading a roadshow in Bihar next month. It will be a show of popular support for him after his uncle Pashupati Paras and cousin brother Prince Raj led a coup against him last week.

Chirag Paswan said that 90% of the working committee members are with him. Presidents of all the states except Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir are also said to be allies of Paswan. He pointed out that only nine people were in support of Paras. "Tell them how many people were in their working committee," he added.

The roadshow scheduled to take place on the birth anniversary of his father Ramvilas Paswan is expected to show his strength and popular support to the rebels within the party. Chirag condemned Paras' actions and said that he is misleading the followers. He also sought his mother's blessing and called the battle ahead 'Mahabharata-like'.

Many in the political circle in Bihar believe that Chirag Paswan is still seen as the real leader of the party despite the coup by Pashupati Paras last Monday. The Paswan community has been impressed with Chirag since he took charge. They are also 6% of the voting population of the state.

Opposition parties like Rashtriya Janata Dal and BJP have received feedback that supporters are behind Paswan Junior's aggressive politics. Party followers do not seem to think that Paras will be able to match him.

Five MPs including Pashupati Paras and Prince Raj asked the Lok Sabha Speaker to recognise them as a separate group on Monday. The same rebel faction cited the party rule of 'one man one post' on Tuesday to remove Chirag from the post of party chief.

Chirag Paswan was holding three positions at the time.

The rebel faction has named Suraj Bjan Singh as the interim president. Paswan Junior has named his right-hand man Raju Tiwari as the party's Bihar unit president in retaliation.