'Resignations of five JD(U) MPs a political stunt'

Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief and Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan today described the resignations of five JD(U) MPs over the attacks on north Indians as a 'political stunt'.

Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief and Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan on Friday described the resignations of five JD(U) MPs over the attacks on north Indians as a "political stunt".

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"The JD(U) MPs who have resigned today are all from Lok Sabha. If Nitish Kumar and his party are so concerned about attacks on north Indians in Maharashtra why didn't their Rajya Sabha MPs also resign. This is a political stunt by that party," Paswan said while reacting to the development here.

The Union Minister for Steel, Chemicals and Fertilisers alleged that the JD(U) MPs did not even consult the BJP leadership and other NDA constituents before resigning from Lok Sabha.

"The whole thing is politically motivated. Their Lok Sabha MPs whose terms are anyway coming to an end have resigned whereas their Rajya Sabha MPs, whose tenures would continue for two to four years have not put in their papers," he said, adding that just like during the 1974 JP movement when all the socialist leaders had taken to the streets, all the MLAs, MLCs, and MPs from both the Houses should resign over the issue.

He added that when RJD chief Lalu Prasad announced that most of his RJD MPs have resigned, then JD(U) decided to follow suit, which was a politically motivated move. "Both the parties are wrong in taking such a step. If we have to resign, we should all resign together," Paswan said.

On what the LJP was doing over the issue, Paswan said, "We are still angry over the attacks on north Indians and to protest against such incidents, our party has planned a demonstration in Mumbai on November 14."

He added that the LJP is adopting a "wait and watch" policy on the issue. "Resigning is no big deal, I have the resignation letters of all my MPs and these can be given to the Speaker in a minute, but Nitish Kumar should take initiative and resign as he is the Chief Minister of Bihar," Paswan said.

Ramvilas Paswan said that resignations should not be for political gains but for the benefit of the people of Bihar.

The LJP chief said that due to lack of opportunities for youths in Bihar, they were being compelled to go to other states. "Rahul Raj (the youth shot in Mumbai bus shootout) had gone to Mumbai to seek work, as he could not find employment in Bihar, the CM is responsible for creating such a situation there," he said.

When asked as to why LJP and Lalu Yadav's RJD were engaging in "politics of resignation", Paswan said that resignations were not the solution to the problem, "and that all parties should sit together and find a solution".

To a question as to whether he would call such a meeting, Paswan said, "Nitish Kumar should call a meeting, as he had taken initiative to meet the PM after Rahul Raj encounter. The meeting should be called by him of all parties where decision on en masse resignations by all legislators and MPs of all parties should be taken."

He added that Lalu wanted to separately meet the Prime Minister after Rahul Raj encounter but "I told him that all parties including JD(U) should meet PM together".

Earlier in the day five JD(U) MPs namely George Fernandes, Prabhunath Singh, Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lallan', Kailash Baitha and Meena Singh submitted their resignations to Lok Sabha Secretary General PDT Achary.