RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha joins Opposition's United Progressive Alliance in Bihar
New Delhi, Dec 20: Days after quitting the NDA, Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief Upendra Kushwaha joined the UPA on Thursday.
The announcement of Kushwaha joining the grand alliance of opposition parties in Bihar was made at a press conference at the AICC headquarters here in the presence of senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, AICC state in-charge Shaktisinh Gohil, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and opposition leader Sharad Yadav.
The former Union minister joined the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) after holding talks with the Congress leadership.
Kushwaha's joining the UPA is likely to give a boost to the formation of a grand alliance in Bihar to counter the NDA combine of Bharatiya Janata Party-Janata Dal(U)-Lok Janshakti Party.
The Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi-led Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) are already part of the UPA in Bihar and are seeking to give a fight to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
The saffron alliance had swept the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, winning 31 of the state's 40 seats.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Pranavananda Swamiji urges Cong to make Shivakumar Karnataka CM
Kalaburagi (Karnataka) (PTI): Pranavananda Swamiji, president of the forum of heads of the most backward class maths, urged the Congress high command on Sunday to immediately appoint Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar as the CM of Karnataka.
Warning that the Congress would face “consequences” if Shivakumar is not made CM, he said a group of 25 swamijis plans to visit New Delhi to present the demand to the party high command.
Earlier in the day, Shivakumar said that both he and CM Siddaramaiah will abide by any decision taken by the Congress high command on the leadership issue in the state.
The remarks come amid speculation within the party and political circles about a possible leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, when the results of assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in Karnataka, are announced.
“The CM chair issue is ongoing in the state. As president of the Mahasabha of swamijis of the most backward class maths in the state, I demand that D K Shivakumar be made CM immediately. It has been about three years since this government came to power, and several timelines have been set, such as Sankranti, Ugadi, and the five-state elections,” Pranavananda Swamiji said.
Speaking to reporters, he said the situation appears to be “insulting” to Shivakumar.
“Shivakumar took over as KPCC president when no one was willing to accept the post and brought the party to power. He was promised the CM post in the presence of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi and General Secretary K C Venugopal. Now, why is the party hesitating to fulfil that promise? This is not right,” he said.
Swamiji said he was not denying that Siddaramaiah is a “big leader” of backward communities, but added that Siddaramaiah has already served as CM for about eight years, including five years in his first term.
“We cannot say that backward classes have received significant benefits. Even the recent state budget did not do much for backward class communities,” he said, alleging that these communities have not significantly benefited under Siddaramaiah.
Urging the Congress high command to immediately make Shivakumar the CM, Pranavananda Swamiji warned that otherwise the party would face “serious consequences” in the state.
He said the Mahasabha of swamijis will meet Shivakumar and, after discussions, about 25 swamijis will travel to Delhi.
“Shivakumar’s contribution to most backward communities is immense. He has been an MLA about eight times and a minister several times. Why is he not being given the CM post? He has worked for the party and deserves recognition—this is my demand to the Congress high command,” he added.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
The speculation has been fuelled by reports of a “power-sharing” arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
