Upset with Paras’ inclusion into Cabinet, Chirag moves Delhi HC

The Chirag Paswan-led faction of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) on Wednesday filed a petition before Delhi High Court against the decision of the Lok Sabha Speaker to recognise Pashupati Paras as the leader of the party in the House.

Speaking to The Daily Guardian, Chirag Paswan’s advocate A.K. Bajpai said: “I have filed a writ petition in Delhi High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, challenging the order of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha in which the Speaker had designated Pashupati Paras as leader of the Lok Janshakti Party in Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha Speaker’s decision is absolutely unconstitutional, illegal and against the rule, procedure and practice. That’s why we have challenged the decision of the Lok Sabha Speaker the before Delhi High Court.”

Advocate Bajpai also told The Daily Guardian: “We approached the Speaker and sought to review his decision; at that time, the Speaker had promised to our delegation that he will examine his decision, but despite repeated requests, there has been no response from the Speaker’s side.”

“The Delhi High Court is likely to hear the matter on Friday. We have also sought stay on the Speaker’s decision till the matter is pending before the High Court,” he added.

In a series of tweets, Chirag Paswan said that Pashupati Paras has already been expelled from the Lok Janshakti Party for betraying the party and now the party strongly objects to his inclusion in the Union Cabinet.

“The Lok Janshakti Party has today filed a petition in the Delhi High Court against the decision of the Hon’ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha, in which the expelled MP Shri Pashupati Parasji was considered the leader of the LJP in the House,” Chirag further added. Chirag Paswan further tweeted that he has full respect for the right of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as to who he includes in his team, but that as far as the LJP is concerned, Pashupati Paras is not a member of the party.

Pashupati Paras has got a place in the Modi cabinet from the quota of LJP. In fact, there is a lot of political tussle going on between Chirag Paswan and his uncle Pashupati Paras for supremacy in the party. According to the Chirag Paswan-led faction, Paras rebelled against Chirag and captured the party and declared himself the leader of the House in the Lok Sabha on behalf of the party.