LJP leader Sudesh Paswan murdered in Bihar; party demands President's Rule

Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Sudesh Paswan was murdered in Dumaria district near Gaya, in Bihar on Wednesday. He was campaigning for Panchayat elections before he was shot dead. “We condemn the murder of our leader Sudesh Paswan. President’s rule should be imposed in Bihar,” LJP spokesperson is quoted in a DNA  report. According to ANI, Maoists murdered Paswan and his cousin and then set their vehicles on fire.

LJP's Sudesh Paswan's cousin also killed in the attack by Maoists in Dumaria, Maoists set vehicles on fire pic.twitter.com/cwN5IEpRHy

— ANI (@ANI) May 25, 2016

The motive behind the murder has not been ascertained and no arrests have been made in relation to the killing. However, this is not the first time a member of the LJP has been targetted. Earlier this year, in February, LJP leader Baijnath Singh was murdered. This incident resulted in CM Nitish Kumar’s governance being heavily criticised. It was shortly after these murders that the LJP demanded imposition of President’s Rule in Bihar alleging a continuous slide in law and order situation in the state under Nitish Kumar’s government. A NDTV report quoted LJP Parliamentary Board chief Chirag Paswan saying that his party had decided to “keep mum” for at least six months since the coming to power of the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) government, but that he was “forced” to speak. In the same report, he went on to say,“there is nothing called law and order in the state so there is no other option but to impose President Rule in Bihar,” The LJP is a party that was formed in Bihar in the year 2000 under the leadership of Ram Vilas Pashwan after he broke away from the Janta Dal United. The party also enjoys a strong following among the Dalits in Bihar.