Dissident MP claims to be 'real RLSP president'

Claiming to be the "real president" of the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), suspended party leader and MP Arun Kumar on Tuesday announced the National Executive Committee of the party and also convened its first meeting on November 25 in New Delhi.

"According to the party's Constitution, I am the new president of the RLSP. My suspension from the party was illegal. The party cadres across Bihar have expressed faith in my leadership," Kumar told a press conference.

On August 17, the Kumar-led RLSP faction had passed a resolution removing Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha as the party's National President and naming Kumar in his place.

"The new Executive Committee has been formed and its first meeting will be held in New Delhi on November 25," Kumar said.

The MP from Jehanabad said that he has informed the Election Commission about the illegal step of Kushwaha to suspend him from the party.

"Now, the Eletion Commission will decide with whom RLSP will remain," Kumar said.

RLSP legislator Lalan Paswan, who was also present with Kumar, was nominated party chief of its Bihar unit.

Kushwaha's party, a constituent of the NDA, had suspended Arun Kumar and MLA Lalan Paswan for anti-party activities in August.

RLSP has three Lok Sabha MPs. Apart from Kushwaha and Kumar, Ram Kumar Sharma is a Lok Sabha member from Sitamarhi in Bihar.

In the 243-member Bihar Assembly, it has two legislators.

--IANS

aks-bns/nir/bg