Legislators of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) on Monday (February 16, 2026) demanded an apology from the principal Opposition party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), for referring to their late leader Ram Vilas Paswan as “bechara” (hapless), triggering uproar during the ongoing Budget session of the Bihar Assembly.
The protests disrupted proceedings, prompting Speaker Prem Kumar to adjourn the House till lunch.
The controversy stems from remarks made on February 11 by RJD MLA from Bodh Gaya constituency Kumar Sarvajeet in the Assembly while recounting the journey of Ram Vilas Paswan, the founder of the erstwhile Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). During his speech, Mr. Sarvajeet referred to Mr. Paswan as “bechara” and urged the Speaker to install a statue of the late leader at a prominent intersection of Patna to “highlight his contribution to Bihar politics”. The remarks drew sharp reactions from LJP (RV) leaders, including Union Food Processing Industries Minister and Hajipur MP Chirag Paswan, the son of the late leader. Party legislators have since been demanding an apology from the RJD.
Also read: Bihar’s ₹3.47-lakh-crore budget bets big on social justice, education, tech
On Sunday (February 15, 2026), LJP (RV) leaders staged protests in Patna and burnt an effigy of RJD leader and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, accusing the party of being anti-Dalit.
