EC freezes LJP's party symbol amid tussle between Chirag Paswan and Pashupati Paras
The Election Commission on Saturday barred the Chirag Paswan and the Pashupati Kumar Paras factions from using the name of Lok Janshakti Party or its symbol 'bungalow' till the dispute between the rival groups is settled by the poll panel.
Till the final decision, the Election Commission has asked both the groups for a new name for their respective factions by October 4 (Monday), 1 PM. The poll body has also asked to give three options, out of which symbols will be alloted to each groups. The factions can then field their respective candidates for upcoming bypolls in Kusheshwar and Tarapur in Bihar. Both the factions will not even be able to use the name 'Lok Janshakti Party', the poll body instructed. "Both the groups shall be known by such names by as they may choose for their respective groups, including, if they so desire, linkage with their parent party Lok Janshakti Party," the order read.
The nomination for the two assembly bypoll seats in Bihar is in process.
Chirag Paswan had visited the election commission office on Friday to demand that the party symbol continues to be with his party. One faction of the LJP is led by president Paswan and another one by his uncle and Union Cabinet Minister Paras.
The crisis in the LJP began when five MPs switched from Paswan’s to Paras’ in June this year. Later, Pashupati Paras declared himself as the party president in Patna.
After the demise of LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan last year, his son Chirag Paswan and the late leader's brother Paras have staked claim over the party leadership and had approached the poll panel in this regard.
