Speculation regarding the merger of Upendra Kushwaha and his party, the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified in Bihar's political landscape. Ahead of the potential cabinet expansion of the new government in Bihar, Upendra Kushwaha faces a significant challenge regarding the future of his party. According to sources, the cabinet expansion in Bihar is likely to take place after the West Bengal Assembly elections. It's being said that Kushwaha has been offered a proposal to merge his party with the BJP before this expansion.
Rajya Sabha Tenure and BJP's Strategy
According to political experts, the BJP sent Upendra Kushwaha to the Rajya Sabha after his defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The objective behind this move was to keep him aligned with the NDA for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. In the assembly elections, Upendra Kushwaha contested alongside the NDA, and his party, the Rashtriya Lok Morcha, secured victory in four seats. Kushwaha's Rajya Sabha term ended in March 2026, but the NDA re-nominated him to the Rajya Sabha. There is talk in political circles that a condition for this re-nomination could be the merger of his party with the BJP. However, no official announcement has been made in this regard so far.
MLA Stance and High-Level Meetings in Delhi
Speculations regarding the MLAs of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha have also been circulating for a long time. Some analysts believe that if there is a delay in the merger or if dissatisfaction among workers increases, it could lead to a split in the party. During March-April 2026, Upendra Kushwaha held several rounds of meetings with the top leadership of the BJP in Delhi, further fueling these discussions. One of the primary reasons for dissatisfaction within the RLM includes allegations of nepotism.
Nepotism Allegations and Son's Political Future
The biggest controversy within the party emerged during the Bihar government's cabinet expansion in November 2025, when Upendra Kushwaha attempted to have his son, Deepak Prakash, appointed as a minister. MLAs and workers alleged that Deepak Prakash was neither a member of the Legislative Assembly nor the Legislative Council, yet he was given priority. This led to increased resentment among party workers. Many political analysts believe that Upendra Kushwaha is negotiating with the BJP to secure his son's political future, aiming to establish him in Bihar politics through either the Legislative Council or a ministerial position.
Currently, Upendra Kushwaha has not made any final decision public. The biggest crisis he faces is preserving the existence of his party. If he chooses the path of merger, his regional party will cease to exist, which could further escalate dissatisfaction and differences within the organization.