Patna: Speculation over internal dissent within Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) intensified after three of the party’s four legislators met the Bharatiya Janata Party’s working national president, Nitin Nabin, in Delhi and publicly shared details of the encounter.
The development has fuelled talk of a possible rift within the RLM, which has in the past dismissed reports of factionalism and insisted that the party remains united under Kushwaha’s leadership.
The controversy follows a political and social gathering hosted on Wednesday evening at Kushwaha’s residence in Patna, where a traditional litti chokha dinner was organised. While several political figures and members of the media attended, three RLM MLAs – Madhav Anand, Rameshwar Mahto and Alok Singh – were notably absent. No official explanation was offered for their non-attendance.
A day later, photographs posted on social media showed the three legislators in Delhi meeting Nabin. In a Facebook post, Anand said the meeting was a courtesy call to congratulate Naveen on assuming his new role, adding that Mahto and Singh were also present and had extended their best wishes for his tenure.
Mahto shared a similar post, reinforcing the narrative of a formal meeting. However, the timing and public nature of the outreach have prompted political observers to question whether deeper disagreements are emerging within the RLM.
The party has four MLAs in the Bihar assembly, one of whom is Kushwaha’s wife, making the simultaneous absence and independent political engagement of the remaining three legislators particularly significant.
The episode comes amid criticism of Kushwaha over allegations of dynastic politics, following claims that his son was elevated to a ministerial position without contesting an election. While the RLM leadership has rejected such accusations, the latest developments have added to unease within political circles about the party’s internal cohesion.
Earlier, Mahto had also posted a message on social media that appeared to criticise the intentions and policies of the party’s top leadership, though he stopped short of naming individuals. Together, these signals have revived questions over whether all is well within Kushwaha’s party, or whether a more serious internal conflict is taking shape.
