LJP fight: Chirag expels 5 rebel MPs; Paras-led faction removes him as party prez

New Delhi: The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) faction headed by Chirag Paswan on Tuesday expelled the five MPs of the party who had rebelled against him, while the group led by his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras removed him from the post of the party president.

Both factions moved swiftly to take control of the party a day after Paras, the youngest brother of Paswan's father and party founder Ram Vilas Paswan, was recognised by the Lok Sabha secretariat as the leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in the House.

While Chirag Paswan has been isolated in the parliamentary party as all other MPs beside him have backed Paras, sources said he continues to draw support from other leaders in the organisation.

Chirag was removed as national president of LJP on the principle of 'One Man, One Post', said the rebels, adding that he held three. According to sources, the rebels intend to strip him of every position of power he has held since he took over from his father and LJP founder.

According to the Paras group, Suraj Bhan will function as working president until a new president is elected and by the end of this week, Pashupati's takeover of his brother's party will be complete.

Chirag will find it tougher than his uncle, given that five of the six LJP Lok Sabha MPs have revolted and he is the sixth.

The matter is now likely to reach the Election Commission as both factions have claimed to represent the party.