The Coup Against Chirag Paswan: The Inside Story

After splitting votes during last year's assembly polls by turning against the leadership of Nitish Kumar, Chirag Paswan had become an "obstacle in the unity of NDA", sources said.

The Black Monday for Lok Janashakti's Party Chirag Paswan - the overnight coup that saw five of the party's six MPs rebel  took place after a mutual understanding between the BJP and Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United (JDU), sources have indicated. This, though, is just the beginning. The LJP's leader in the Lok Sabha, who was replaced by his uncle, Pashupati Kumar Paras by late Monday evening, will be completely marginalised within the party soon, sources said. This is a well-planned move which has the backing of senior BJP and JDU leaders. After splitting votes during last year's assembly polls by turning against the leadership of Nitish Kumar, Chirag Paswan had become an "obstacle in the unity of NDA", sources said. Nitish Kumar - who suspected that his rebellion took place at the behest of the BJP - refused to have anything to do with him after the election. The Chief Minster made it clear that he did not want Paswan Junior to be part of any meeting of the alliance, or have any relation with the BJP or the Centre, sources said.