Thu Dec 25 15:18:45 UTC 2025: Summary:

Dissent is brewing within the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partner in Bihar. Several MLAs have expressed discontent over party president Upendra Kushwaha’s leadership and the promotion of his son, Deepak Prakash, to a ministerial position. This dissatisfaction has manifested in MLAs skipping party events and voicing concerns about dynastic politics. Additionally, several RLM members have resigned, citing a deviation from the party’s founding principles and an emphasis on self-interest over public service.

News Article:

Internal Strife Rocks Bihar’s RLM as Dissent Grows

Patna, December 25, 2025 – Cracks are widening within the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), a key partner in Bihar’s NDA alliance, as internal dissent threatens party stability. The discord centers around party president Upendra Kushwaha’s leadership and the appointment of his son, Deepak Prakash, as Panchayati Raj Minister.

On Wednesday, MLAs Alok Kumar Singh and Madhaw Anand, along with Rameshwar Kumar Mahto, who previously questioned Mr. Kushwaha’s leadership, notably skipped a party event hosted by Mr. Kushwaha, opting to meet with BJP leader Nitin Nabin instead. Mahto emphasized the importance of politics serving the public, not personal gain, implicitly criticizing the promotion of Mr. Kushwaha’s son, who is not a member of either House of the State Legislature, to the ministerial position.

The internal turmoil has extended beyond mere absences. Anant Kumar Gupta, former State president of the RLM’s business cell, resigned along with seven other office-bearers on Thursday. Gupta cited a deviation from the RLM’s founding principles and a lack of ideology.

Adding fuel to the fire, Jitan Ram Manjhi, founder of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), sarcastically remarked on the Kushwaha family’s political gains, highlighting Mr. Kushwaha’s Rajya Sabha seat, his wife’s MLA position, and his son’s ministerial role.

The growing dissent within the RLM raises questions about the party’s future and the stability of the NDA alliance in Bihar. The coming weeks will likely determine whether Mr. Kushwaha can quell the internal rebellion or if the RLM will face further fragmentation.

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