Union Minister Chirag Paswan reveals reason behind Late father Ram Vilas Paswan leaving UPA in 2014
- In Reports
- 09:24 PM, Jul 19, 2024
- Myind Staff
In a recent interaction with PTI editors, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party President Chirag Paswan revealed that his father, Ram Vilas Paswan's inability to secure a meeting with Rahul Gandhi was a pivotal factor in the party's decision to leave the Congress-led UPA and join the BJP-led NDA before the 2014 elections.
Chirag Paswan detailed that despite multiple attempts and months of waiting, Rahul Gandhi refused to meet with his father. This, according to Chirag, led to Ram Vilas Paswan's disillusionment with the UPA, ultimately prompting the switch to the NDA. He recalled that both he and his father frequently met Sonia Gandhi to discuss their party's future within the UPA alliance.
Sonia Gandhi had suggested that Ram Vilas Paswan meet her son, but the meeting never materialised. Reflecting on that period, Chirag Paswan said, "My father kept trying for a good three-four months to meet Rahul ji and not even a single meeting could take place. I think that was one of the reasons why my father was very upset. Despite being one of the senior leaders and an important ally in the UPA, he was not given time by Rahul Gandhi."
Chirag also admitted that he had been eager to leave the UPA and align with the BJP, driven by his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted that his father's reluctance to leave the UPA posed a significant challenge, but the failure to meet Rahul Gandhi made it easier to convince him to join the BJP-led NDA.
This decision was a crucial moment in the 2014 election season, as Ram Vilas Paswan, a prominent grassroots Dalit leader, chose to ally with the BJP, contributing to the party's momentum and helping it secure a majority in the Lok Sabha.
Chirag Paswan acknowledged that while Rahul Gandhi has recently shown signs of taking his political responsibilities more seriously, he criticised Gandhi's recent parliamentary speech for being unbecoming of the leader of the opposition. Paswan argued that the speech contained personal attacks on Modi and the parliamentary chair, as well as disrespect towards different religions.
Regarding his admiration for Modi, Chirag Paswan said he had looked up to the prime minister even before his party joined the NDA. This personal connection with Modi was a significant factor in his decision to support the BJP.
Chirag also highlighted the importance of maintaining good personal relations with leaders across the political spectrum, a lesson he learned from his father. Despite his political criticisms, he mentioned showing respect to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and described RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav as a father-like figure and his son Tejashvi Yadav as a younger brother.
The revelation about Rahul Gandhi’s reluctance to meet Ram Vilas Paswan adds a new dimension to the political dynamics that led to the 2014 elections, underlining the intricate personal and political factors that shape alliances in Indian politics.
Image source: Money Control
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