Speaking at Network18’s Rising Bharat Summit in New Delhi on Wednesday, April 9, Paswan said, “No discussion has been done yet on the seat distribution in Bihar. We trust that everyone will get a respectful number of seats.”
The NDA in Bihar comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awami Morcha (Secular), and the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party.
PM Modi Responds to Allies: Paswan
Paswan commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for being attentive to the concerns of alliance partners. Citing a recent issue involving a controversial lateral entry decision, he said, “I raised the lateral entry issue with PM; he acknowledged it and immediately withdrew the decision.”
He added that the Prime Minister consistently listens to allies, which, in turn, strengthens the internal chemistry of the coalition.
Paswan Slams Opposition Over Waqf Act
The LJP (Ram Vilas) chief also criticised opposition parties for challenging the Waqf Amendment Act in the Supreme Court.
“Those who have gone to the Supreme Court against the Waqf Amendment Bill were fine with a poor Muslim not having a recourse to go to court under the old Waqf system,” Paswan remarked.
Earlier on Tuesday, 8 April, Prime Minister Modi had also condemned the opposition, accusing them of engaging in “appeasement politics.” He maintained that the new legislation was intended to protect the rights of Muslims, women, and children.
‘Makes My Blood Boil’: Paswan on Family Feud
On a more personal note, Paswan addressed the ongoing rift within his family, involving his estranged uncle and former Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras, as well as his father’s first wife, Rajkumari Devi.
Speaking about alleged efforts to evict Rajkumari Devi from the family’s ancestral home, Paswan said, “If someone pushes you, you can tolerate this… But if someone does this to your mother, it makes your blood boil.”
He further alleged that, following the death of his father in 2020, Paras not only ousted him from the party but also from the family home. “Let him first sort out the ‘benami’ wealth he has amassed from Bihar to Noida,” Paswan added.
Keep Politics and Religion Separate, Says Paswan
Paswan also appealed for a clear separation between religion and politics. “Nobody should discuss this. It is a matter of personal faith… You are nobody to tell me (what to follow),” he said.
He criticised both religious groups and political parties that exploit faith for political gain. “The day we separate the two, we will be able to solve a big problem,” he concluded.
