Lok Janshakti Party
Encyclopedia
The Lok Jan Shakti Party is a state political party
in the state Bihar
, India
. It is led by Ram Vilas Paswan
. The party was formed in 2000 when Paswan split from Janata Dal (United)
. The party has considerable following amongst Dalits in Bihar
. The 2004 Lok Sabha elections marked a major break-through for the party. It contested the polls in alliance with the Indian National Congress
and the RJD and won 4 Lok Sabha seats. In the post-poll formed United Progressive Alliance
led government, Ramvilas Paswan became the minister of Steel and Fertilizers. In the 2005 Bihar assembly polls the party contested in alliance with the Congress and against the RJD and won 29 assembly seats.
After no group was able to form a coalition government, President's rule
was imposed. After a few months Bihar's state assembly was dissolved. The elections returned NDA
supported Nitish Kumar
as Chief Minister. This has been a major setback for Paswan.
Among other developments, Jan Morcha
the party founded by former Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh was merged with the LJP in March 2009. Jan Morcha president Ajeya Singh, son of Vishvanath Pratap Singh was immediately appointed as a senior LJP functionary. On the more disastrous side LJP suffered a major jolt when, its entire Jharkhand Unit merged with the Congress before the 2009 elections citing that Mr. Paswan had 'ignored' them.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the state Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It is led by Ram Vilas Paswan
Ram Vilas Paswan
Ram Vilas Paswan is the president of the Lok Janshakti Party and a Rajya Sabha MP.-Early life and education:Paswan was born to a Dusadh family...
. The party was formed in 2000 when Paswan split from Janata Dal (United)
Janata Dal (United)
Janata Dal is a political party in India with political presence mainly in Bihar and Jharkhand. Janta Dal party mentor and patron is "Veteran Socialist leader" George Fernandes; George Fernandes broke away from the erstwhile Janata Dal and formed the Samata Party in 1994. Presently it is led...
. The party has considerable following amongst Dalits in Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
. The 2004 Lok Sabha elections marked a major break-through for the party. It contested the polls in alliance with the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
and the RJD and won 4 Lok Sabha seats. In the post-poll formed United Progressive Alliance
United Progressive Alliance
The United Progressive Alliance is a ruling coalition of center-left political parties heading the government of India. The coalition is led by the Indian National Congress , which is currently the single largest political party in the Lok Sabha...
led government, Ramvilas Paswan became the minister of Steel and Fertilizers. In the 2005 Bihar assembly polls the party contested in alliance with the Congress and against the RJD and won 29 assembly seats.
After no group was able to form a coalition government, President's rule
President's rule
President's rule is the term used in India when a state legislature is dissolved or suspended and the state is placed under direct federal rule...
was imposed. After a few months Bihar's state assembly was dissolved. The elections returned NDA
National Democratic Alliance (India)
The National Democratic Alliance is a centre-right coalition of political parties in India. At the time of its formation in 1998, it was led by the Bharatiya Janata Party and had thirteen constituent parties. Its convenor is Sharad Yadav, and its honorary chairman is former prime minister Atal...
supported Nitish Kumar
Nitish Kumar
Nitish Kumār is an Indian politician currently serving as Chief Minister of Bihar, an eastern state of India. He leads the Janata Dal party...
as Chief Minister. This has been a major setback for Paswan.
Among other developments, Jan Morcha
Jan Morcha
The Jan Morcha was founded by V. P. Singh when he was dismissed from his post of Defence Minister and subsequently left the Congress Party in 1987.Together with Arun Nehru, Arif Mohammed Khan, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, V. C...
the party founded by former Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh was merged with the LJP in March 2009. Jan Morcha president Ajeya Singh, son of Vishvanath Pratap Singh was immediately appointed as a senior LJP functionary. On the more disastrous side LJP suffered a major jolt when, its entire Jharkhand Unit merged with the Congress before the 2009 elections citing that Mr. Paswan had 'ignored' them.