Patna: Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan today responded to the criticism and accusation of nepotism in the party.
Saying that his family has been in politics for a long time he defended the decision to grant tickets to his kins.
“My younger brother Pashupati Kumar has been an MLA since 1977. Brother Ramchandra Paswan is an MP. Chirag is an MP. They were given ticket by the party but the public chose them,” Paswan said in India TV's election special programme ‘Chunav Manch' in Patna.
Paswan's nephew Prince Raj, brother Pashupati Kumar and a relative Sarita Paswan appear in the list announced by Paswan's LJP for the Bihar assembly elections.
LJP is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance that also includes Jitan Ram Manjhi-led HAM and Upendra Kushwaha-led RLSP.
On the accusation that he made the political career of his son Chirag, Paswan said that Chirag does not need Ramvilas Paswan and that he did not need reservation when he went into the film industry.
Chirag could've won from anywhere because of his personality, added Paswan.
When asked why Chirag was made the Parliamentary Chairperson of the party, Paswan said his son took over the reigns of party when he was ill and Chirag campaigned for the party.
“Chirag was unanimously chosen as the Parliamentary Chairperson of the party,” Paswan said.
He, however, did not entirely denied favour to his son and said, “What father does not support his son. If someone does not support his son, he is not a real father.”
