Bihar ally RLM suspends rebel leader, eyes action against three MLAs

The Rashtriya Lok Morcha has suspended state general secretary Ram Pukar Sinha for six years after he contested the Bihar Legislative Council election as an independent candidate, defying the NDA's official nominee. The October 12 action highlights growing internal tensions within the party, which is part of the ruling alliance in Bihar.

Sinha filed his nomination for the Saran Teachers' constituency despite the NDA fielding Janata Dal (United) leader Anand Pushkar as its authorized candidate. In a letter issued by working state president Prashant Pankaj, the party stated that Sinha violated organizational discipline and damaged its image by running against the alliance candidate.

The controversy has deepened as three of RLM's four MLAs appeared alongside Sinha during his nomination filing. Alok Kumar Singh, the party's Bihar state president and Dinara MLA, along with legislators Madhav Anand and Rameshwar Mahto, were seen supporting Sinha, signaling an open rift within the party's ranks. The three lawmakers also skipped an NDA meeting at the chief minister's residence on October 9.

Party president Upendra Kushwaha now faces the question of whether to take action against the three MLAs or attempt to resolve the internal dispute through dialogue. With three of the party's four legislators involved, the leadership's next steps will signal how it handles dissent while maintaining its alliance commitments.