A parliamentarian from Bihar's ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has demanded the resignation of Lok Janshakti Party chief Ramvilas Paswan from the central cabinet for his criticism of the state government.
Ramkirpal Yadav, MP from Patna, has also reportedly written to Congress president Sonia Gandhi complaining about Paswan's "irresponsible behaviour".
Yadav, who is considered close to RJD chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, is said to have taken exception to Paswan's criticism of Lalu and the Rabri Devi government in Bihar.
Paswan has been blaming Lalu and the Rabri government for the state's problems. But what has irked the RJD is Paswan, despite being in the central government, was hobnobbing with the opposition National Democratic Alliance's main ally, the Janata Dal (United) and calling for ouster of the RJD government.
Paswan also criticised the state government for not having rescued the two kidnapped engineers of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation and said the entire system had collapsed during the 15-year RJD regime.
Ramkirpal Yadav said it was shocking that Paswan was casting aspersions on Lalu without resigning from the cabinet.
"If Paswan thinks he was right in levelling false allegations against a fellow minister, first he should have resigned from the ministry," he said.
"Paswan has not changed at all in all these years as he continues to backstab those who have helped him. He sought Lalu's help to reach the Lok Sabha but is bad mouthing him now," Ramkirpal said.
He alleged that Paswan was eyeing the post of Bihar chief minister but was not willing to risk his berth in the Manmohan Singh government. "If Paswan has any moral values, he should resign and come out openly against the Congress and RJD in Bihar."
--Indo-Asian News Service