Lakhendra Paswan Enters Reservation Row, Advises Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi to Give Others a Chance; Says Reservation Cannot Be Touched Under PM Modi
Patna: The ongoing war of words between two prominent NDA leaders, Union Minister Chirag Paswan and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, over the issue of reservation shows no signs of ending. Their statements on reservation and the rights of Dalit communities have sparked considerable political discussion in Bihar.
Now, BJP MLA and Bihar government minister Lakhendra Paswan has entered the controversy. He advised both leaders to move beyond their respective family circles and provide political opportunities to other members of their communities.
Lakhendra Paswan also made a strong statement on reservation. He claimed that as long as Narendra Modi remains the Prime Minister, there is no question of reviewing or interfering with the reservation system. He described reservation as a constitutional right and said it should not be treated as a concession or charity.
He made these remarks while speaking to journalists in Patna on Monday.
âBoth Are Senior NDA Leadersâ
Lakhendra Paswan said Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi are both senior leaders of the NDA. Therefore, he said, they have a responsibility to work for the broader interests of their communities.
According to him, both leaders should move beyond their family circles and give other capable people opportunities to enter politics and leadership positions.
He argued that political opportunities should not remain concentrated within a single family. Members of the wider community should also be encouraged to take on organizational and electoral responsibilities.
âHow Many People Have You Promoted Beyond Your Families?â
Lakhendra Paswan directly questioned Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi about how many people they had politically promoted outside their own families.
He asked how many members of the Scheduled Caste community were being given opportunities within their respective political organizations.
He said that if political leaders genuinely speak about social justice and the empowerment of disadvantaged communities, they should also ensure broader representation within their parties.
According to him, strengthening only a few individuals is not enough. More people from disadvantaged sections should be given opportunities to develop into political leaders.
Reference to Jitan Ram Manjhiâs Family
Lakhendra Paswan referred to Jitan Ram Manjhiâs family while making his point about political opportunities.
He said several members of Manjhiâs family have become MLAs, MLCs or MPs. He questioned why similar opportunities should not be extended to other members of the community.
According to Lakhendra Paswan, political leadership should not focus only on strengthening one family. It should also create new leadership among weaker and marginalized sections of society.
His remarks were primarily centered on the broader issue of political representation and opportunities rather than being presented simply as a personal attack on either leader.
Focus on the Musahar Community
Lakhendra Paswan also referred to the social and economic condition of the Musahar community.
He said political leaders should pay attention to the actual circumstances of their communities and work toward creating opportunities for people who continue to face difficulties related to education, employment and social development.
He questioned why more people from within the community were not being encouraged to enter politics and take on leadership roles.
According to him, merely discussing the rights of marginalized communities on political platforms will not bring meaningful change. More people must be included in political organizations and decision-making processes.
âReservation Is a Constitutional Rightâ
On the reservation issue, Lakhendra Paswan made it clear that he considers reservation a constitutional right.
He said reservation should not be viewed as something granted as a favor or charity by any individual or political party.
He further claimed that as long as Narendra Modi is Prime Minister, there is no possibility of reviewing or interfering with the reservation system.
His statement comes amid an ongoing political debate over reservation and representation. He attempted to reassure members of marginalized communities that they should not be concerned about the future of reservation under the current NDA government.
However, any major change related to reservation involves constitutional and legal procedures, making the subject a matter of wider political and public debate.
âNothing Will Happen by Just Discussing Itâ
Reacting to the ongoing statements between Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi, Lakhendra Paswan said there was too much discussion surrounding the issue.
He argued that simply making statements and engaging in political debate would not resolve the underlying issues.
If leaders genuinely want to work for the interests of their communities, he said, they should take concrete steps to provide opportunities and representation.
According to him, giving people responsibilities within political organizations and involving them in decision-making is more important than simply making public statements.
Dismisses Calls for Resignation
Lakhendra Paswan also described calls for resignation in connection with the controversy as unnecessary.
He suggested that political differences over sensitive issues such as reservation should be addressed through political dialogue rather than through demands for resignation.
NDA allies have had differences over various issues in the past, but maintaining unity within the alliance remains politically important.
Debate Over Social Representation Within NDA
Lakhendra Paswanâs remarks have introduced another dimension to the debate within the NDAâsocial representation and the development of new leadership.
Both Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi have significant political influence and support among their respective communities. Against this backdrop, Lakhendra Paswanâs call for them to move beyond their families and promote others raises questions about how political representation is distributed.
The issue is not limited to Bihar. Across Indian politics, there has been a long-running debate over how many new leaders from marginalized communities are emerging and how much responsibility political parties are willing to give them.
Political Exchange Could Intensify
Following Lakhendra Paswanâs comments, attention will now be focused on how Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi respond.
If either leader responds strongly, the debate over reservation and social representation could intensify further. On the other hand, if the matter is resolved through internal discussions, it could create an opportunity for dialogue within the NDA.
For now, Lakhendra Paswan has urged both leaders to look beyond their personal and family circles and focus on the broader interests of their communities.
Focus Shifts From Political Dispute to Representation
The central theme of Lakhendra Paswanâs statement was not only the reservation controversy but also the issue of political and social representation.
He argued that poor and marginalized communities should not be viewed merely as vote banks. If these communities are to gain genuine political influence, their members must also be given opportunities to become leaders.
This would require political parties to bring forward new faces and assign them meaningful responsibilities within their organizations.
Overall, Lakhendra Paswanâs entry into the ongoing reservation debate between Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi has added a new political dimension to the controversy.
While defending reservation as a constitutional right and ruling out any possibility of interference under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he also advised both NDA leaders to move beyond family politics and provide opportunities to other members of their communities.
The focus will now be on whether Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi respond to these remarks and whether a broader political position emerges within the NDA on reservation, representation and opportunities for marginalized communities.
