Election Commission freezes LJP party symbol amid tussle between Chirag Paswan, Pashupati Paras

The Election Commission of India (ECI) froze the Lok Janshakti Party's (LJP) party symbol on Saturday after a dispute between Chirag Paswan and Pashupati Kumar Paras factions. The electoral board stated that neither of the two organisations, one led by Pashupati Kumar Paras and Chirag Paswan, will use the term 'Lok Janshakti Party'. It further said that none of the two organisations would be allowed to use the emblem' bungalow,' which is reserved for the 'Lok Janshakti Party.' The EC recommended that both groups be assigned distinct symbols, which they can select from a list of free symbols provided by the electoral authority.

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Both groups have been required to provide their names and insignia by October 4 in order to be recognised. The electoral commission made the decision ahead of the Bihar by-elections on two seats, Tarapur in Munger and Kusheshwarsthan in Darbhanga, which are set for October 30, with results expected on November 2. Earlier, the Chirag Paswan-led group claimed the right to use the party's name and emblem in the impending Bihar by-election and wrote to the Election Commission to deny his estranged uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras' claim to be party president.

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On the other hand, Pashupati Paras claimed that the LJP and its electoral emblem belonged only to his group. "We are the true LJP because we have the majority, and there should be no mistake about who is the true heir of the party's founder, late Ram Vilas Paswan," he added. Both groups have been at odds since Paras and four other LJP MPs revolted against Chirag Paswan and declared themselves the true LJP, "electing" Paras as party president.

• Chirag Paswan
• Election Commission
• LJP
• Pashupati Paras
• Elections