The family feud has come to the fore not only in the Lalu Prasad’s family where his two sons are battling for supremacy but also in the family of Union Minister and LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan where his daughter and son-in-law have revolted.
In the political families, particularly in the families of supremo of regional parties, such revolts and clashes are no uncommon. When elections come closer such feuds come in open. Needless to say that such infightings are meant to gain some personal advantage.
Paswan’s daughter Asha Devi and her husband Anil Kumar Sadhu have knocked the doors of RJD for ticket. The couple plans to fight election against Paswan in Hajipur. “We are ready to take on Paswan. If I get the ticket I will contest and if my wife is allotted a ticket she will fight,” said Sadhu, who was earlier Bihar president of LJP’s wing Dalit Sena but recently quit the party and joined RJD.
Said Asha,”We have been neglected in the family. We did not get any favour from my father who showers all favours to Chirag Paswan.” Jamui MP Chirag is step brother of Asha.
Paswan has two wives and Asha is daughter from first wife Raj Kumari Devi, who Paswan divorced in 1981. Two years later he married Reena who is mother of Chirag and one daughter.
The reported revolt in Paswan’s family is not new. Last time during Assembly election in 2015, Sadhu had revolted and created scene at the LJP party. He wanted ticket to contest but was denied presumably under pressure of Chirag who is also chairman of the party’s parliamentary board.
A that time Sadhu in front of media people and cameras had created drama by shouting at the top of his voice against Paswan and Chirag and cried loudly. In bid to avoid the further nuisance, Paswan gave him a ticket. He contested but lost his deposit.
RJD sources said it was highly unlikely that Sadhu would be given ticket because he was not worth candidate and has hardly any political understanding. Sadhu’s father was a veteran politician and won Assembly elections for five consecutive terms.
Asha claimed that LJP supremo Paswan has lost his popularity and traditional support base of scheduled castes, a section of upper castes and minorities in his constituency Hajipur which he has been winning for over four decades with record margins. ‘He has lost the support of even Paswan caste,” she alleged.