Upendra Kushwaha’s party faces rebellion: seven members quit over ‘dynastic politics’

By Admin

28 Nov, 2025

The Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), led by Upendra Kushwaha and aligned with the NDA in Bihar, plunged into turmoil on November 27, 2025, after seven senior party members resigned in protest. Their collective accusation was clear and direct the party chief was promoting dynastic politics by inducting his son, Deepak Prakash, into the Bihar Cabinet.

The flashpoint came soon after Mr. Kushwaha, a Rajya Sabha member, chose his 36-year-old son to serve as the new Panchayati Raj Minister in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Cabinet. What sparked further outrage was the fact that Deepak Prakash is not a member of either house of the State Legislature. This decision overshadowed the RLM’s recent electoral performance, where it contested six seats under the NDA umbrella and won four, securing a single ministerial berth.

Revolt Within the Ranks

Discontent within the party boiled over as prominent leaders tendered their resignations. Those who quit included state party president Mahendra Kushwaha, vice-president Jitendra Nath, spokesperson Rahul Kumar, and several other key district-level leaders. Their central grievance was that Mr. Kushwaha had abandoned socialist values by prioritising his family over long-serving party workers.

Mahendra Kushwaha openly condemned the decision, stating that the party chief frequently preached ethics and moral values but failed to practice them when given the opportunity. Echoing similar sentiments, party vice-president Jitendra Nath said he felt insecure about his political future despite being with the RLM for nine years. “This is a classic case of dynastic politics,” he added.

Rahul Kumar, another key leader who resigned, questioned how Mr. Kushwaha now differed from leaders he often criticised for promoting family over merit.

Kushwaha Defends His Stand

Facing mounting criticism, Mr. Kushwaha defended his son’s appointment, highlighting Deepak Prakash’s academic credentials as a computer science engineer. He emphasised that his son had worked hard, earned his degree, secured employment, and deserved time to prove himself in his new political role. Deepak Prakash, though currently outside both houses of the state legislature, is likely to be elected to the Legislative Council soon.

Addressing accusations of dynastic politics, Mr. Kushwaha used a metaphor to justify his decision: “Samudra Manthan produces both nectar and poison. Some people have to drink poison.” He admitted that the move might invite criticism but described it as a tough choice made for the party’s future.

A Party at a Crossroads

The mass resignations have left the RLM in a fragile state. Losing multiple senior leaders in one stroke not only exposes internal cracks but could also affect the party’s influence within the NDA coalition. The rebellion highlights the continued debate around dynastic politics in India, especially when leaders publicly uphold ideals of equality and meritocracy.

As the political storm intensifies, all eyes will be on how Upendra Kushwaha manages the fallout   and whether his son’s performance in governance can justify the controversial decision.