Patna: Union minister Chirag Paswan on Monday announced that his party, LJP (RV), will contest the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. While it is yet to be decided whether the party will fight the polls independently or in alliance with other parties, he said the LJP(RV)’s participation in both states is certain.Addressing mediapersons after the party’s national executive committee meeting in Delhi, Chirag said a resolution was passed seeking the conferment of the Bharat Ratna on his father, late Ram Vilas Paswan, and BSP founder Kanshi Ram for their contribution to the upliftment of Dalits and the poor.Commenting on the ongoing student protests, Chirag said political parties should stay away from the agitation, as their involvement could dilute the students’ concerns.“Political parties can extend moral support, but should not seek political gains from the movement. Opposition parties visited Jantar Mantar but did not raise students’ issues in Jharkhand because they are in power there. Students should not be divided. Let policymakers and students resolve the matter,” he said.Chirag said some of the protesting students could enter politics in the future and urged political parties not to misuse their platform.“Their platform is being misused. Do not divide them. Political parties should stay away from their movement. My father, too, entered politics through a similar protest movement,” he said.The Union minister reiterated his demand for a National Youth Commission and a National Farmers’ Commission, on the lines of the Women’s Commission, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission, and Minority Commission.“There should be a nodal body to address issues faced by the country’s youth. A proposal was also passed seeking the formation of a National Farmers’ Commission to address challenges faced by farmers,” he said.Targeting the opposition, Chirag said it had become a pattern for opposition parties to disrupt Parliament during the initial weeks of a session.“NRC is no longer their issue. Sometimes they raise SIR, at other times EVMs. Our govt is ready to discuss every issue. If they want to discuss the alleged misappropriation of donations, they are free to do so, but Parliament should be allowed to function,” he said.On the issue of delimitation, Chirag said his party fully supports the exercise. “The timing is appropriate. The number of seats in every state will increase by 50%, and seats will also be reserved for women,” he added.
