->JJMC89 bot III: Moving :Category:Samta Party to :Category:Samata Party per Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Speedy

2021-12-09T07:17:26Z

Moving Category:Samta Party to Category:Samata Party per Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Speedy

New page

{{short description|Political party in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}{{Use Indian English|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox Indian Political Party
| party_name = Rashtriya Lok Samata Party
| party_logo =[[File:Flag of the RLSP.png]]
| abbreviation = RLSP
| colorcode = #999966
| president = [[Upendra Kushwaha]]
| founder = Upendra Kushwaha
| foundation = {{Start date and years ago|df=yes|p=y|2013|03|03}}
|split = [[Janata Dal (United)]]
|merged = [[Janata Dal (United)]]
|predecessor =
|dissolution = {{Start date and years ago|df=yes|p=y|2021|03|14}}
| symbol =[[File:Indian Election Symbol Ceiling Fan.svg|200px]]
| website = {{URL|https://ralospa.in}}
|eci=[[List of political parties in India#State parties|State Party]]|alliance=[[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]] (2014—2018) 
[[United Progressive Alliance]] (2018—2020) [[Grand Democratic Secular Front]] (2020—2021)}}
'''Rashtriya Lok Samta Party''' (abbreviated as '''RLSP'''; [[translation]]: ''National People's Equity Party'') was a [[political party]] in India led by [[Upendra Kushwaha]]. It was launched on 3 March 2013 and is based in the state of [[Bihar]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/rlsp-chief-upendra-kushwaha-quits-as-union-minister/article25709719.ece|title=RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha quits as Union Minister|date=10 December 2018|website=[[Business Line]]|language=en|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Political Handbook of the World 2015|publisher=[[CQ Press]]|year=2015|isbn=978-1-4833-7157-3|editor-last=Lansford|editor-first=Tom|location=[[United States]]|chapter=India – National Democratic Alliance}}</ref> The party was formed in opposition to [[Nitish Kumar]] and his [[Janata Dal (United)]].<ref name=":1" /> It has faced multiple rebellions and desertions since 2015.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> On 14 March 2021, Upendra Kushwaha has merged RLSP with [[Janata Dal (United)|JDU]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha announces merger with JDU|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/upendra-kushwaha-to-merge-rlsp-with-nitish-kumar-s-jdu-1779211-2021-03-14|access-date=2021-09-18|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>

==History of the party==

=== Background ===
[[File:Bihar State headquarter of Rashtriya Lok Samta Party.jpg|thumb|Bihar state headquarter of Rashtriya Lok Samata Party.]]
[[Upendra Kushwaha]] was dismissed from the [[Janata Dal (United)]] in 2007.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Banerjee|first=Shoumojit|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/Rashtriya-Samata-Party-merges-with-JDU/article16894644.ece|title=Rashtriya Samata Party merges with JD(U)|date=2009-11-27|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425091049/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/Rashtriya-Samata-Party-merges-with-JDU/article16894644.ece|archive-date=2020-04-25|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Kushwaha founded the Rashtriya Samata Party in February 2009. The party was formed in the backdrop of alleged marginalisation of the [[Koeri]] caste and [[autocratic rule]] by the [[Nitish Kumar]] government in [[Bihar]]. The formation of the party was supported by [[Chhagan Bhujbal]], the deputy chief minister of [[Maharashtra]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Upendra-Kushwaha-forms-new-political-party-RSP/articleshow/4093314.cms|title=Upendra Kushwaha forms new political party|last=Singh|first=Abhay|date=8 February 2009|website=[[The Times of India]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425094050/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Upendra-Kushwaha-forms-new-political-party-RSP/articleshow/4093314.cms|archive-date=2020-04-25}}</ref> In November 2009, the party was merged into the Janata Dal (United) with the mending of ties between Kushwaha and Kumar.<ref name=":0" />

On 4 January 2013, Upendra Kushwaha who at the time was a [[Rajya Sabha]] member resigned from the [[Janata Dal (United)]]. He alleged that the Nitish model had failed and that the law and order situation was becoming as bad as it had been 7 years ago. He further alleged that the [[Nitish Kumar]] runs his government through autocratic means and that he had turned the Janata Dal (United) into his "pocket organisation".<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/jdu-mp-upendra-kushwaha-resigns-attacks-nitish-kumar/articleshow/17885118.cms|title=JD(U) MP Upendra Kushwaha resigns, attacks Nitish Kumar|date=2013-01-04|work=[[The Economic Times]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425123937/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/jdu-mp-upendra-kushwaha-resigns-attacks-nitish-kumar/articleshow/17885118.cms|archive-date=2020-04-25}}</ref>

=== Formation and early years ===
Kushwaha launched the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party in a rally in [[Gandhi Maidan]], [[Patna]] on 3 March 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aajtak.intoday.in/story/member-of-parliament-from-karakat-and-minister-of-state-in-government-of-india-upendra-kushwaha-1-836712.html|title=RLSP के संस्थापक और बिहार के काराकट से सांसद उपेंद्र कुशवाहा का राजनीतिक सफर|date=6 October 2015|editor-last=Gupta|editor-first=Surabhi|website=[[Aaj Tak]]|language=hi|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref> At the time of formation, Kushwaha had stated that the party will attempt to overthrow the [[National Democratic Alliance]] in the state of [[Bihar]]. However, following the departure of the [[Janata Dal (United)]] from the alliance, the party joined the National Democratic Alliance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bjp-to-ally-with-obc-leader-upendra-kushwaha-in-bihar/article5719469.ece|title=BJP to ally with OBC leader Upendra Kushwaha in Bihar|last=Gaikwad|first=Rahi|date=23 February 2014|website=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425132509/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bjp-to-ally-with-obc-leader-upendra-kushwaha-in-bihar/article5719469.ece|archive-date=25 April 2020}}</ref> In the subsequent [[2014 Indian general election]], it contested 3 [[parliamentary seat]]s in [[Bihar]] ([[Sitamarhi (Lok Sabha constituency)|Sitamarhi]], [[Karakat (Lok Sabha constituency)|Karakat]] and [[Jahanabad (Lok Sabha constituency)|Jahanabad]]) as part of the alliance and won all of them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/ljp-rlsp-demand-same-number-of-seats-as-in-2014-ls-polls-3141711.html|title=LJP, RLSP demand same number of seats as in 2014 LS polls|date=8 November 2018|website=[[Moneycontrol.com]]|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref> Upendra Kushwaha was elected from the Karakat constituency and was appointed as the [[Minister of State of Human Resource Development]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/list-of-council-of-ministers-in-modi-cabinet/article6052078.ece|title=List of Council of ministers in Modi Cabinet|date=2014-05-27|work=The Hindu|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119123241/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/list-of-council-of-ministers-in-modi-cabinet/article6052078.ece|archive-date=7 April 2020|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In the following [[2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly election]], the party contested 23 out of 243 seats as part of the alliance but was able to have its representative elected from only two seats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/upendra-kushwaha-s-exit-will-dent-nda-s-poll-prospect-say-experts/story-sBbRMkr8t0ZyBR6VmXV43K.html|title=Upendra Kushwaha's exit will dent NDA's poll prospect, say experts|last=Swaroop|first=Vijay|date=2018-12-10|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|language=en|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref>
[[File:Upendra Kushwaha unveiling the plaque to inaugurate the newly constructed office complex of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), a statutory body of Govt. of India, Ministry of HRD, in New Delhi.jpg|thumb|Upendra Kushwaha unveiling the plaque to inaugurate the newly constructed office complex of [[All India Council for Technical Education]] (AICTE), a statutory body of Govt. of India, Ministry of HRD, in New Delhi.]]

=== Factionalism and desertions ===
From late 2015 onward, the party was divided into two factions; one led by [[Upendra Kushwaha]] and the other led by [[Arun Kumar (Bihar politician)|Arun Kumar]], the [[member of parliament]] from the [[Jahanabad (Lok Sabha constituency)|Jahanabad constituency]]. In 2016, the faction of Arun Kumar held a meeting which announced the replacement of Kushwaha with Arun Kumar as the leader of the party. [[Lalan Paswan]], a member of the [[Bihar Legislative Assembly]] from the party had also attended the meeting. Kumar claimed that his faction was the real representatives of the party.and decided to move to the [[Election Commission of India]] staking claim to the party name and symbol while further accusing Kushwaha of adopting autocratic means of running the party. In retaliation, the Kushwaha faction constituting the disciplinary committee of the party recommended the suspension of both Arun Kumar and Lalan Paswan for "indiscipline and anti-party activities". The disciplinary committee was headed by [[Ram Kumar Sharma]], the other member of parliament from the party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/rlsp-set-for-split-as-rival-factions-face-off-2986051/|title=RLSP set for split as rival factions face off|date=20 August 2016|work=The Indian Express}}</ref>

In June 2018, the party formally split with the faction of Arun Kumar forming th )[[Rashtriya Samata Party (Secular)]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/bihar/split-wide-open-rlsp-bloc-forms-new-party/cid/1444418|title=Split wide open: RLSP bloc forms new party|last=Raj|first=Dev|date=29 June 2018|website=[[Telegraph India]]|language=en|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref> In the same year, the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party left the National Democratic Alliance. The party had been involved in an argument with the alliance over seat sharing arrangement for the [[2019 Indian general election|upcoming general election]] while targeting the Janata Dal (United) which had rejoined the alliance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/dec/05/upendra-kushwahas-rlsp-finally-turns-against-bjp-set-leave-nda-on-december-6-1907680.html|title=Upendra Kushwaha's RLSP finally turns against BJP, set to leave NDA today|last=Das|first=Anand ST|date=5 December 2018|website=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref> This led to rebellion from all the three state legislators of the party, who declared that they represented the real party, raising objections that they intended to remain in the alliance. The legislators were at the time attempting to get Sudhanshu Shekhar included in the [[Sixth Nitish Kumar ministry|Council of Ministers of Bihar]] which was led by [[Nitish Kumar]]. Shekhar was one of the legislators of the state party in Bihar.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/rlsp-legislators-revolt-declare-they-will-remain-in-nda/articleshow/67104972.cms?from=mdr|title=RLSP legislators revolt; declare they will remain in NDA|date=2018-12-15|work=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref> However on 20 December 2018, Upendra Kushwaha declared that the party had joined the opposition [[United Progressive Alliance]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/elections/rlsp-s-upendra-kushwaha-joins-upa-in-bihar-becomes-part-of-mahagathbandhan-118122000664_1.html|title=RLSP chief Kushwaha joins UPA in Bihar, becomes part of Mahagathbandhan|date=2018-12-20|work=[[Business Standard India]]|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref> Earlier in 2017, the [[Nagmani]] led [[Samras Samaj Party]] had been merged into the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.uniindia.com/samras-samaj-party-merges-into-rlsp/other/news/944978.html|title=Samras Samaj Party merged into RLSP|date=29 July 2017|work=[[United News of India]]|access-date=25 April 2020}}</ref> Nagmani was subsequently made the national executive of the party. In February 2019, he was sacked from the post for alleged "anti-party" activities following which he resigned from the party on grounds that Upendra Kushwaha was allegedly selling party tickets for the upcoming election.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/rlsp-removes-nagmani-from-national-working-president-post-119020801281_1.html|title=RLSP removes Nagmani from national working president post|date=2019-02-08|work=[[Business Standard India]]|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/nagmani-resigns-accuses-kushwaha-of-selling-party-tickets-119021000521_1.html|title=Nagmani resigns, accuses Kushwaha of "selling" party tickets|date=2019-02-10|work=[[Business Standard India]]|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref>

In the [[2019 Indian general election]], the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party contested on 5 parliamentary seats as part of the United Progressive Alliance with Upendra Kushwaha contesting from two seats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/election-results-2019-bihar-i-accept-peoples-verdict-need-for-introspection-says-rlsps-upendra-kushw-2041914|title='I Accept People's Verdict, Need For Introspection,' Says RLSP's Upendra Kushwaha|date=23 May 2019|website=[[NDTV]]|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref> The party was however unable to win on a single seat while the alliance won just one seat in Bihar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/may/25/patna-all-is-now-going-well-in-bihars-mahagavandhan-after-defeatsblame-game-started-1981660.html|title=After humiliating defeat in Lok Sabha elections, blame game begins in Bihar's grand alliance|last=Thakur|first=Rajesh Kumar|date=25 May 2019|website=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref> Following the election, all the three formerly dissident state legislators of the party joined the [[Janata Dal (United)]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/lok-sabha-2019/story/jolt-to-kushwaha-s-rlsp-all-3-of-its-legislators-join-jd-u-1535173-2019-05-26|title=Jolt to Upendra Kushwaha's RLSP, all 3 of its legislators join JDU|date=26 May 2019|website=[[India Today]]|language=en|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref>

==2020 Bihar Assembly Elections==
=== Exit from mainstream coalitions ===
In the wake of the [[2020 Bihar Legislative Assembly election]], Upendra Kushwaha pulled the party out of the [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] led [[Mahagathbandhan (Bihar)|Mahagathbandhan]] (Grand Alliance),<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=2020-10-03|title=Bihar polls: Tejashwi announces Grand Alliance's seat-sharing deal, Congress to contest from 70 seats|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bihar-elections-opposition-alliance-rjd-144-congress-70-left-29-6685968/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210326035411/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bihar-elections-opposition-alliance-rjd-144-congress-70-left-29-6685968/|website=[[The Indian Express]]|language=en|archive-date=26 March 2021}}</ref> the extension of the United Progressive Alliance in Bihar.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2018-12-20|title=RLSP chief Kushwaha joins UPA in Bihar, becomes part of Mahagathbandhan|work=[[Business Standard India]]|publisher=[[Press Trust of India]]|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/elections/rlsp-s-upendra-kushwaha-joins-upa-in-bihar-becomes-part-of-mahagathbandhan-118122000664_1.html|access-date=2020-10-04}}</ref> The party entered into an alliance with the [[Uttar Pradesh]] based [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] and the minor Janatantrik Party (Socialist);<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|date=30 September 2020|title=Upendra Kushwaha's Key Aide Quits Over New Alliance With Mayawati's Party|work=[[NDTV]]|publisher=[[Press Trust of India]]|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/upendra-kushwahas-key-aide-quits-over-new-alliance-with-mayawatis-party-2303428?amp=1&akamai-rum=off}}</ref> according to Kushwaha both the major alliances were no different from each other.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tewary|first=Amarnath|date=2020-09-29|title=Upendra Kushwaha out of 'mahagathbandhan', stitches new alliance with BSP|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/rlsp-severs-ties-with-mahagathbandhan-stitches-new-alliance-with-bsp-other-parties/article32723238.ece|access-date=2020-10-04|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> According to the ''[[Dainik Bhaskar]]'', the unorthodox alliance was symptomatic of a pattern of shrinking space for smaller parties leaving them with less leverage in seat sharing negotiations within larger alliances.<ref>{{cite web|date=1 October 2020|title=दो नहीं अब पांच गठबंधन आजमाएंगे मैदान में दांव, चुनावी जमीन का सबसे बड़ा हिस्सा एनडीए के पास|trans-title=Not two but five coalitions will contest, the largest stakeholder NDA|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/bihar/patna/news/not-two-now-five-alliances-will-try-the-field-the-nda-has-the-largest-share-of-electoral-land-127769587.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001052153/https://www.bhaskar.com/local/bihar/patna/news/not-two-now-five-alliances-will-try-the-field-the-nda-has-the-largest-share-of-electoral-land-127769587.html|archive-date=1 October 2020|website=[[Dainik Bhaskar]]|language=hi|quote=Parties are disengaging from alliances simply because their space in Alliance Politics is getting smaller. The scope for contested seats is diminishing.}}</ref> Following the new arrangement, the state president of the party, [[Bhudeo Choudhary]] resigned from his position and joined the Rashtriya Janata Dal.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Santosh|date=2020-10-01|title=In Bihar, alliances try to outdo each other for larger share of Dalit votes|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/in-bihar-alliances-try-to-outdo-each-other-for-larger-share-of-dalit-votes-6655986/|access-date=2020-10-04|website=[[The Indian Express]]|language=en}}</ref> This was followed by the national general secretary Madhav Anand resigning from his party membership while stating that the decision for an alliance with minor players was "inconsequential" and could potentially finish the party.<ref name=":6" /> Subsequently, the new state president of the party, Bharat Bind resigned to join the Rashtriya Janata Dal as well.<ref name=":5" />

During the campaign stage, the new coalition was merged with another smaller one consisting of the [[Telangana]] based [[All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen]] and the [[Devendra Prasad Yadav]] led [[Samajwadi Janata Dal Democratic]] to form the Grand Democratic Secular Alliance, this alliance also included the [[Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party]] and declared Upendra Kushwaha as the candidate for the position of [[Chief Minister of Bihar]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=8 October 2020|title=Asaduddin Owaisi, Upendra Kushwaha Form Front Of 6 Parties For Bihar Polls|work=NDTV|agency=Press Trust of India|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/asaduddin-owaisi-upendra-kushwaha-form-front-of-6-parties-for-bihar-polls-2307317}}</ref> In the meantime, the former member of the legislative assembly Ajay Pratap joined the party.<ref>{{cite web|title=कुशवाहा के साथ ओवैसी:ओवैसी से गठबंधन के बाद अजय प्रताप को भी रालोसपा में ले आये उपेंद्र कुशवाहा, जमुई सीट पर होगा रोमांचक मुकाबला|trans-title=Kushwaha with Owaisi: After aliance with Owaisi, Ajay Pratap has been brought to RLSP by Upendra Kushwaha, adventrous fight on Jamui constituency|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/bihar/news/after-the-alliance-with-owaisi-upendra-kushwaha-who-brought-ajay-pratap-in-rlsp-will-be-a-thrilling-contest-on-jamui-seat-127785734.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Dainik Bhaskar}}</ref>

===fielding of candidates===
Relying upon its vote base which is [[Kushwaha]] caste, RLSP fielded 40% Kushwaha candidates in the elections . The [[Grand Democratic Secular Front]] of which RLSP was a constituent member relied primarily upon the votes of castes like Kushwahas, Ravidasis, and [[Muslim]]s . RLSP in the first phase of elections contested a total of 42 seats amongst which it gave ticket to 17 candidates of Kushwaha caste while its ally [[All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen|AIMIM]] placed its candidates in Muslim dominated areas of Bihar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/bihar/patna/news/rlsp-will-contest-more-than-100-seats-in-bihar-assembly-elections-in-3-phases-40-will-be-kushwaha-candidates-127801758.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326035911/https://www.bhaskar.com/local/bihar/patna/news/rlsp-will-contest-more-than-100-seats-in-bihar-assembly-elections-in-3-phases-40-will-be-kushwaha-candidates-127801758.html |title=जाति की राजनीति:बिहार विधानसभा चुनाव में 3 चरण में 100 से अधिक सीटों पर लड़ेगी रालोसपा, 40% होंगे कुशवाहा प्रत्याशी|website=Dainik Bhaskar|access-date=11 October 2020|quote=Trans.:In the assembly elections, political parties are putting up more candidates for their base vote castes. The RLSP, the main constituent of the Grand Democratic Secular Front, considers the Kushwaha (Koeri) society its base vote. This front consists of 6 parties. Of these, RALOSPA will contest the most seats. The party will contest elections on more than 100 seats, including 40% Kushwaha candidates. The RLSP has fielded candidates for 42 seats in the first phase, of which 17 are Kushwaha candidates.|archive-date=26 March 2021 }}</ref> Similarly in the list of its 37 candidates in the second phase also Koeri candidates were dominant accounting for 18 seats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/bihar-election/news/rlsp-fielded-18-koeri-candidates-in-37-bsp-got-80-seats-list-of-second-phase-candidates-released-127821616.html|title=RLSP fielded 18 Koeri candidates in 37, BSP got 80 seats|website=Dainik Bhaskar|access-date=2020-10-17}}</ref>

===Result===
RLSP failed to grab any seat but its allies AIMIM and BSP ended up getting 6 seat overall. The percentage of vote earned by AIMIM was smaller as compared to the RLSP but unlike the former it emerged stronger in the Simanchal region of Bihar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/story/bihar-assembly-election-owaisi-factor-in-seemanchal-worries-grand-alliance-1737053-2020-11-01|title=Bihar assembly election: Owaisi factor in Seemanchal worries grand alliance|website=indiatoday|access-date=2020-11-18}}</ref> It also showed its strong presence on many seats including Dinara and Saffron.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/exit-of-smaller-parties-dented-mahagathbandhan-s-chances-of-regaining-power-in-bihar/story-p0THw5c0QCYQ0OY3AjJHcJ.html|title= Exit of smaller parties dented Mahagathbandhan's chances of regaining power in Bihar|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=2020-11-22}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/owaisi-mayawati-or-upendra-kushwaha-why-rjd-led-grand-alliance-lost-fort-bihar-to-nda-2324096.html|title=Owaisi, Mayawati or Upendra Kushwaha: Why RJD-led Grand Alliance lost fort Bihar to NDA?|website=Zee News|access-date=2020-11-22}}</ref>
==Merger into JD(U)==
Following the poor performance of the party in 2020 Bihar assembly elections, the speculation of Upendra Kushwaha's merger with JD(U) rose again. This speculation, however was not clear until March 2021, which led many party leaders including acting state president of RLSP, Veerendra Kushwaha joining hands with the [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]]. The party finally merged into [[Janata Dal (United)|JDU]], from which it was formed as a result of split in 2013 and Kushwaha was made the president of parliamentary board of the JD(U). The merger and the heartwarming welcome to Upendra Kushwaha was seen as the attempt to revive JD(U)'s old social coalition of ''Kurmi-Koeri'' [[caste]]s, which was utilised by [[Nitish Kumar]] to oust the [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] from power after the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/rlsp-leaders-expel-party-chief-kushwaha-join-rjd/article34053634.ece|archive-url=
https://web.archive.org/web/20210328122108/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/rlsp-leaders-expel-party-chief-kushwaha-join-rjd/article34053634.ece |title=RLSP leaders expel party chief Kushwaha, join RJD|website=The Hindu|accessdate=28 March 2021|archive-date=28 March 2021}}</ref>

== Electoral performance ==

=== State elections in Bihar ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! rowspan="2" |Election
! colspan="4" |Votes
! colspan="3" |Seats
! rowspan="2" |Coalition
! rowspan="2" |{{Tooltip|Ref.|References}}
|-
!#
!%
!±
!Pos.
!#
!±
!Pos.
|-
|-
|-
![[2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly election|2015]]
|976,940
|2.56
|{{Steady}}
|6th
|{{Composition bar|2|243|hex=#999966}}
|{{Steady}}
|7th
|[[National Democratic Alliance]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bihar 2015|url=https://eci.gov.in/files/file/3904-bihar-2015/|website=eci.gov.in|publisher=[[Election Commission of India]]}}</ref>
|-
|-
|-
![[2020 Bihar Legislative Assembly election|2020]]
| 744,221
| 1.77%
|{{Steady}}
| TBA
|{{Composition bar|0|243|hex=#999966}}
|{{decrease}}
| 2
|[[Grand Democratic Secular Front]]
|
|-
|-
|-
|}

=== General elections in Bihar ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! rowspan="2" |Election
! colspan="4" |Votes
! colspan="3" |Seats
! rowspan="2" |Coalition
! rowspan="2" |{{Tooltip|Ref.|References}}
|-
!#
!%
!±
!Pos.
!#
!±
!Pos.
|-
|-
![[2014 Indian general election in Bihar|2014]]
|2,460,537
|6.97
|{{Steady}}
|6th
|{{Composition bar|3|40|hex=#999966}}
|{{Steady}}
|4th
|[[National Democratic Alliance]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=General Election 2014|url=https://eci.gov.in/files/category/97-general-election-2014/|website=eci.gov.in|publisher=[[Election Commission of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-05-17|title=Lok Sabha election results 2014: Bihar|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/lok-sabha-election-results-2014-bihar/|website=[[The Indian Express]]|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|-
![[2019 Indian general election in Bihar|2019]]
|1,462,518
|3.66
|{{Decrease}} 3.93
|6th
|{{Composition bar|0|40|hex=#999966}}
|{{Decrease}} 3
|{{Steady}}
|[[United Progressive Alliance]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=General Election 2019|url=https://eci.gov.in/files/category/1359-general-election-2019/|website=eci.gov.in|publisher=[[Election Commission of India]]}}</ref>
|-
|-
|-
|}

==See also==

* [[List of political parties in India]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://rlsp.in/ Official Website 1]
*[https://ralospa.in/ Official Website 2]

{{Janata Parivar parties}}

[[Category:Political parties in India]]
[[Category:Political parties in Bihar]]
[[Category:Socialist parties in India]]
[[Category:Samata Party| ]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 2013]]
[[Category:Politics of Bihar]]
[[Category:Janata Parivar]]
[[Category:2013 establishments in Bihar]]
[[Category:Rashtriya Lok Samata Party]]
[[Category:Political parties disestablished in 2021]]
[[Category:2021 disestablishments in India]]

Rashtriya Lok Samta Party - Revision history

PrakashBar: minor cleanup

->JJMC89 bot III: Moving :Category:Samta Party to :Category:Samata Party per Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Speedy