HC Junks Chirag Paswan's Plea Over Uncle Being Recognised as LJP Leader

While dismissing the petition, the Delhi High Court observed that it has no merit.

File image of LJP leader Chirag Paswan.

(Photo: The Quint)

The Delhi High Court on Friday, 9 July, dismissed LJP MP Chirag Paswan's plea challenging Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s decision to recognise his uncle, Pashupati Kumar Paras, as the leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).

“I find absolutely no merit in the petition,” said Justice Rekha Palli while dismissing the petition.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the judge was wont to impose a fine on Paswan but decided against it after an appeal from the latter's counsel.

Soon after the decision, Paras commented on the order, saying that Paswan has strayed off track.

"I respect the court's decision. Chirag Paswan has a right to Ram Vilas Paswan's property. He is my nephew. I will not cause him pain, but he has strayed off track. Everyone has gone against him," Paras said, according to news agency ANI.

Paswan's Power Tussle With Uncle

Paswan is currently engaged in a power tussle with his uncle, who is an LJP MP from Bihar’s Hajipur constituency.

Recently Paras, along with four other MPs, rebelled against Paswan and removed him as the LJP leader of the Lower House, where the party won six seats in the 2019 election. The Paras-led faction also expelled Paswan from all party posts.

In a series of tweets on 7 July, Paswan wrote that the LJP filed a petition in the HC against the Lok Sabha Speaker’s decision to consider Pashupati Paras as leader of LJP in the House.

Screengrab of Chirag Paswan's tweet

(Photo: Twitter/@iChiragPaswan)

"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 Paras ji was considered the leader of the LJP in the House," he tweeted.

"Pashupati 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," Chirag further added.

(With inputs from The Indian Express and ANI.)