Patna, August 23: Upendra Kushwaha, the leader of the National Lok Morcha and former Union Minister, stated on Sunday that political legacy does not equate to holding a government position or claiming power. Instead, it is about advancing the ideologies, teachings, and social concerns passed down from ancestors. He highlighted that both his party and others are working to promote the socialist ideologies of Jananayak Karpoori Thakur and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia.
During a press conference, Kushwaha noted that his statements regarding legacy have been misinterpreted. He clarified that the question of who remains in government is not a matter of legacy. All political parties are striving to promote socialist ideologies in their own ways, and the ultimate evaluation will be made by the public and history. He acknowledged that political parties and leaders may have differing opinions on various issues, but the beauty of democracy lies in moving forward with consensus despite disagreements.
He remarked that different social and political platforms have their own boundaries, and discussions should align with those. Reflecting on his past ties with the Janata Dal United, Kushwaha mentioned that he has invested significant effort in building the organization. He expressed affection and blessings for Nishant Kumar, identifying both Nishant Kumar and Deepak Prakash as the future of young leadership, emphasizing that they should be given opportunities to advance.
Kushwaha pointed out that media often attempts to portray him and Samrat Chaudhary as adversaries, although there is no real conflict. He recalled his struggles alongside Nitish Kumar during the formation of the Samata Party, noting that many new political workers today are unaware of those circumstances.
On the issue of reservations, he stated that the Nitish Kumar-led government had aimed to increase the reservation limit for backward, extremely backward, and other marginalized classes to 65 percent in Bihar. However, this initiative could not be implemented due to court intervention. He asserted that it is everyone’s responsibility to further this incomplete effort. Kushwaha’s party has included the demand for implementing 65 percent reservations as one of its key proposals.
He explained that the reservation system was developed based on the data from the caste survey in Bihar, and his party will continue to raise this issue. Regarding youth concerns, he acknowledged that the mindset and circumstances of today’s generation have changed. Therefore, it is essential to listen to the youth, engage in dialogue with them, and seriously consider their legitimate demands. He emphasized that traditional methods will not suffice in addressing the issues faced by the youth.
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