LJP (RV) seeks RJD apology over “bechara” remark on Ram Vilas Paswan

Legislators of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) on Monday (February 16, 2026) demanded an apology from the principal Opposition party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), for referring to their late leader Ram Vilas Paswan as “bechara” (hapless), triggering uproar during the ongoing Budget session of the Bihar Assembly.

The protests disrupted proceedings, prompting Speaker Prem Kumar to adjourn the House till lunch. 

The controversy stems from remarks made on February 11 by RJD MLA from Bodh Gaya constituency Kumar Sarvajeet in the Assembly while recounting the journey of Ram Vilas Paswan, the founder of the erstwhile Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). During his speech, Mr. Sarvajeet referred to Mr. Paswan as “bechara” and urged the Speaker to install a statue of the late leader at a prominent intersection of Patna to “highlight his contribution to Bihar politics”. The remarks drew sharp reactions from LJP (RV) leaders, including Union Food Processing Industries Minister and Hajipur MP Chirag Paswan, the son of the late leader. Party legislators have since been demanding an apology from the RJD. 

Also read: Bihar’s ₹3.47-lakh-crore budget bets big on social justice, education, tech

On Sunday (February 15, 2026), LJP (RV) leaders staged protests in Patna and burnt an effigy of RJD leader and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, accusing the party of being anti-Dalit.

Responding to the controversy, Mr. Sarvajeet told reporters in Assembly premises, “The LJP (RV) is trying to deflect attention from the numerous assaults on the rights of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Class by the BJP-led government at the Centre. Had late Ram Vilas Paswan been alive today, things would not have reached such a pass.” Mr. Sarvajeet, who belongs to the SC community, represents the reserved Bodh Gaya constituency.

Also read: In Assembly, Nabin says Bihar is treated with respect now

As soon as the assembly proceedings began on Monday (February 16), the LJP (RV) MLAs raised slogans demanding an apology. “The RJD MLA’s remarks reflect the Opposition party’s anti-Dalit mindset. We demand an apology for the insult to our ideological father,” said Raju Tiwari, leader of the LJP (RV) legislature party and MLA from Govindganj in East Champaran district. He is also the state president of the party.

In the 2025 Assembly elections, the Chirag Paswan-led LJP (RV), an NDA ally, contested 29 seats and won 19, securing 4.97% of the vote share. The party was formed in 2021 after a split in the original Lok Janshakti Party, founded by Ram Vilas Paswan in November 2000. Chirag Paswan’s estranged uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras had allegedly engineered the split. Later, Mr. Paras formed the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP). The erstwhile Lok Janshakti Party’s best performance came in the February 2005 Assembly election, when it won 29 seats.

The Budget session of the State Legislature is scheduled to conclude on February 27. 

Quota push

Amid the pandemonium in the Assembly, RJD members pressed for a separate demand—a hike in the quota for deprived castes to 85%, breaching the existing 50% cap. “If the ruling NDA raises the reservation to 85% from 50% for deprived castes, we too will support them,” said RJD MLA from Maner Bhai Virendra Yadav.