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{{short description|Indian politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Upendra Kushwaha
| image = File:The Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Shri Upendra Kushwaha addressing at the inauguration of the “Summer Fiesta”, in New Delhi on May 22, 2018.JPG
| birth_name = Upendra Singh
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|2|06|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Vaishali district]], [[Bihar]], India
| residence =
| Official Status =
| office1 = Former [[Ministry of Human Resource Development|Minister of State for Human Resource Development]]
| primeminister1 = [[Narendra Modi]]
| term_start1 = 26 May 2014
| term_end1 = 10 December 2018
| predecessor1 = [[Shashi Tharoor]]
| successor1 =
| office2 = [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member]] of the [[India Parliament]]
| constituency2 = [[Karakat (Lok Sabha constituency)|Karakat]]
| term_start2 = 16 May 2014
| term_end2 = 23 May 2019
| predecessor2 = [[Mahabali Singh]]
| successor2 = [[Mahabali Singh]]
| office3 = [[Chairperson]] [[Rashtriya Lok Samata Party]]
| term_start3 = 13 March 2013
| term_end3 = 2021
| predecessor3 = Post Established
| office4 = President of parliamentary board of [[Janata Dal (United)]]
| term_start4 = 2021
| term_end4 =
| office5 = [[Bihar Legislative Council|Member of Legislative Council]], Bihar.
| term_start5 = 2021
| office6 = Member of [[Bihar Legislative Assembly]]
| term_start6 = 2000
| term_end6 = 2005
| alma_mater = [[Bihar University]]
| party = [[Janata Dal (United)]] {{small|(2021—present)}}
| otherparty = [[Rashtriya Lok Samata Party]] {{small|(2013—2021)}} 
[[Janata Dal (United)]] {{small|(2009—2013)}} 
Rashtriya Samata Party {{small|(2007—2009)}} 
[[Janata Dal (United)]] {{small|(2004—2007)}} 
[[Samata Party]] {{small|(2000—2004)}} 
| spouse =
| children =
| website =
| footnotes =
| date = 4 March
| year = 2016
| source = http://www.myneta.info/ls2014/candidate.php?candidate_id=554 My Neta
| signature =
}}
'''Upendra Singh Kushwaha''' (born 6 February 1960)<ref name=":2">{{cite web|date=2020-10-15|title=Upendra Kushwaha: The man trying hard to stay relevant|url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/upendra-kushwaha-profile-6734940/|access-date=2020-10-15|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> is an Indian politician and former Minister of State for Human Resources and Development in the [[Government of India]].<ref name="Gupta Surbhi">{{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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329010549/https://www.aajtak.in/elections/story/member-of-parliament-from-karakat-and-minister-of-state-in-government-of-india-upendra-kushwaha-315105-2015-10-06 |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|archive-date=29 March 2021}}</ref> He is former [[Member of Parliament|MP]] from the [[Karakat (Lok Sabha constituency)|Karakat]] constituency in [[Rohtas district]], [[Bihar]]. He is a former member of the [[Rajya Sabha]]. He was the leader of his own party the [[Rashtriya Lok Samata Party]], until it merged with [[Janata Dal (United)]] in 2021.<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><ref name=Express/>

==Early life==
Upendra Singh was born to Muneshwar Singh and Muneshwari Devi<ref>{{cite web|title=Upendra Kushwaha: Age, Biography, Education, Wife, Caste, Net Worth & More - Oneindia|url=https://www.oneindia.com/politicians/upendra-kushwaha-32704.html|access-date=2020-10-15|website=www.oneindia.com|language=en}}</ref> on 6 February 1960 in [[Vaishali district|Vaishali]], Bihar into a middle-class family. He graduated from Science College, Patna and then did MA in Political Science from [[BR Ambedkar Bihar University]], Muzaffarpur. Kushwaha also worked as a lecturer in the politics department of Samata College. Later he added Kushwaha to his name.<ref name=":2" />

==Politics==
Upendra Kushwaha stepped into the world of politics in 1985. From 1985 to 1988, he was the state general secretary of Yuva [[Lok Dal]].{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

Later, he became National General-Secretary, Yuva Janata Dal, 1988–93. He had also worked as General-Secretary for Samata Party, 1994–2002. Kushwaha was Member of [[Bihar Legislative Assembly]] in 2000-2005 and appointed as Deputy Leader (Samata Party) Bihar Legislative Assembly. In March 2004 after loksabha election Sushil Modi was elected to Loksabha and the same time number of MLA's of JD(U) increased than BJP. Since leader of JD(U) changed his party. So kushwaha became leader of opposition.<ref>Oneindia.com{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/politicians/upendra-kushwaha-32704.html|title=Upendra -kushwaha|date=2020-05-31|access-date=31 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620015635/https://www.oneindia.com/politicians/upendra-kushwaha-32704.html|archive-date=20 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Gupta Surbhi"/>
[[File:The Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Shri Upendra Kushwaha addressing a gathering, on the occasion of the CBSE Teachers' award 2015, in New Delhi on September 03, 2016.jpg|thumb|Upendra Kushwaha addressing a gathering, on the occasion of the CBSE Teachers' award 2015, in New Delhi on 3 September 2016.]]

Kushwaha started his electoral politics in 2000 winning from [[Jandaha (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jandaha]].<ref name=":2" /> He 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>
Kushwaha founded the [[Rashtriya Lok Samata Party]] on 3 March 2013 and unveiled the name and flag of his party at a rally at the historic [[Gandhi Maidan]].<ref name="Gupta Surbhi"/> He contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by [[Narendra Modi]]. He was elected from the Karakat constituency and was appointed as Minister of State in Human Resource Development ministry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/BJP-ties-up-with-OBC-leader-Upendra-Kushwaha-in-Bihar/articleshow/30534465.cms|title=BJP ties up with OBC leader Upendra Kushwaha in Bihar}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/news/bjp-may-bring-in-kushwaha-as-obc-face|title=BJP may bring in Kushwaha as OBC face}}</ref> In December 2018, he resigned from the ministry and left the NDA, accusing Modi of not fulfilling his poll promises regarding Bihar.<ref name=resigned_2018>{{Cite news | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/upendra-khushwaha-resigns-as-union-minister-likely-to-quit-nda/articleshow/67022354.cms |title = Upendra Kushwaha resigns as Union minister, likely to quit NDA|newspaper = The Economic Times|date = 10 December 2018}}</ref>
[[File:The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee administering the oath as Minister of State to Shri Upendra Kushwaha, at a Swearing-in Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on May 26, 2014.jpg|thumb|Shri [[Pranab Mukherjee]] administering the oath as Minister of State to Shri Upendra Kushwaha, at a Swearing-in Ceremony, at [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]], in New Delhi]]

Initially, Kushwaha indicated his discontent with the NDA leadership due to diminishing importance as an ally. Kushwaha's party RLSP finally broke out from NDA alliance as it was not given appropriate seats in Lok Sabha elections of 2019. The NDA leadership was skeptical of Kushwaha's influence on member of Koeri caste and believed that even without his support they could win the elections in Bihar. It is believed that [[Nitish Kumar]] too holds considerable hold on both koeri and kurmi community, as a counter to which [[BJP]] had earlier selected [[Keshav Prasad Maurya]] as its [[Uttar Pradesh]] chief. Hence, they were ready to face exodus of Kushwaha. Meanwhile, they were sure of reaping the popularity of Nitish, who was now an ally of BJP and had gained considerable reputation in Bihar due to his development model.<ref name="Kumar Ayushman">{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/politics/this-kheer-cooking-in-bihar-may-leave-a-bad-taste-in-the-bjps-mouth/|title=This ‘kheer’ cooking in Bihar may leave a bad taste in the BJP’s mouth|first=Kumar|last=Ayushman|website=theprint.in|access-date=2020-06-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/politics/upendra-kushwahas-exit-could-undo-bjps-carefully-planned-bihar-caste-coalition/
|title=Upendra Kushwaha’s exit could undo BJP’s carefully planned Bihar caste coalition|first=PRAGYA|last=KAUSHIKA|website=theprint.in|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/amit-shahs-choice-of-up-bjp-chief-to-dampen-nitish-kumars-pitch/articleshow/51771360.cms|website=economic times|title=amit-shahs-choice-of-up-bjp-chief-to-dampen-nitish-kumars-pitch|first=Ravish|last=Tewary|access-date=2020-07-10}}</ref>

Kushwaha hence joined [[United Progressive Alliance]] front, which contained [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]], [[Hindustani Awam Morcha]], as well as [[Vikassheel Insaan Party]].He contested 2019 [[Lok Sabha]] election from two seats namely [[Karakat]] as well as [[Ujiarpur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Ujiyarpur]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/lok-sabha-polls-upendra-kushwaha-to-contest-from-two-seats-5657482/|title= lok-sabha-polls-upendra-kushwaha-to-contest-from-two-seats|website=indianexpress|date=2020-07-10}}</ref>
Kushwaha lost from both the 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 grand alliance of above mentioned parties under the leadership of [[Tejashwi Yadav]] was not able to win even a single seat in Bihar in 2019 Lok Sabha election.<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>
[[File:Upendra Kushwaha and Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey and the Minister of State for Defence, Shri Subhash Ramrao Bhamre at the inauguration of the Festival-cum-Exhibition “Azadi 70 Saal - Yaad Karo Kurbani, Mera Desh Mera Gaurav”.jpg|thumb|Upendra Kushwaha and Dr. [[Mahendra Nath Pandey]] and the Minister of State for Defence, Shri [[Subhash Ramrao Bhamre]] at the inauguration of the Festival-cum-Exhibition “Azadi 70 Saal - Yaad Karo Kurbani, Mera Desh Mera Gaurav”.]]
In the course of 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Upendra Kushwaha's speech sparked controversy when he referred to the newly formed alliance of his party and Rashtriya Janata Dal as '[[Kheer]]'. According to political analysts, [[Rashtriya Lok Samata Party|RLSP]] represents [[Koeri|Kushwahas]] who are also called Koeris in Bihar while [[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]] represents [[Yadav]]s. The traditional occupation of these castes being growing paddy as well as cattle domestication. Hence, reference to Kheer was said to be the implicit indication to alliance of two influential backward castes.<ref name="Kumar Ayushman"/>
After losing in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Kushwaha once again made a controversial statement. He warned NDA leadership that if the result of elections is deteriorated, the blood will flow on streets. However, later on a notice from Election Commission, he clarified that his intention was not of provoking violence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/upendra-kushwaha-clarifies-bloodshed-remark/articleshow/69447949.cms|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210404033530/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/upendra-kushwaha-clarifies-bloodshed-remark/articleshow/69447949.cms?from=mdr |title=upendra-kushwaha-clarifies-bloodshed-remark|website=timesofindia.com |access-date=10 July 2020|archive-date=4 April 2021}}</ref>

In September 2020, prior to the election to [[Bihar Legislative Assembly]], Upendra Kushwaha's party RLSP eschewed the [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] and Congress led coalition which was formed during the [[Lok Sabha]] elections of 2019 to counter [[National Democratic Alliance]] in Bihar. Kushwaha announced the formation of third front in partnership with [[Bahujan Samaj Party]]. This front contested on all 243 seats of Bihar Assembly against three other political fronts namely [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]], which included JD (U) and [[BJP]]; [[United Progressive Alliance|UPA]], which included RJD, Congress and Vikassheel Insaan Party and one another alliance which contained various small parties led by [[Jan Adhikar Party]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/politics/290920/mayawati-led-bsp-joins-hands-with-rlsp-backs-upendra-kushwaaha-for-cm.html|title=Mayawati-led BSP joins hands with RLSP, backs Upendra Kushwaha for CM post|website=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref> Kushwaha sought the unacceptability of the leadership of [[Tejashwi Yadav]] as the reason behind his separation from the 'Grand Alliance'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/in-setback-for-tejashwi-kushwaha-set-to-exit-oppn-alliance-over-leadership-issue/articleshow/78303717.cms|title=In setback for Tejashwi Yadav, Upendra Kushwaha set to exit opposition alliance over leadership issue|website=The Economic Times|access-date=2020-09-30}}</ref>

The GSDF suffered a serious setback with only success in the form of [[All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen|AIMIM]] getting five seats in Muslim dominated areas of Bihar (particularly ''Simanchal'') and BSP managing to get one seats. Though the allies had obtained less percentage of votes compared to Kushwaha's RLSP (it secured 1.77% votes), it failed to win any seats.<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> Also; the RLSP showed good presence in number of constituencies including Dinara and Saffron.<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>

Kushwaha parted his ways with [[Janata Dal (United)]] on two occasions, but after the split of 2013, his political graph went down and the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party suffered massive defeats in various elections, most notably in the [[Lok Sabha]] elections of 2019 and the assembly elections of 2020. The weaning away of support of [[Kushwaha]] [[caste]] also resulted in setback for JD(U), which was reduced to 43 seats in 2020 election to [[Bihar Legislative Assembly]]. This led to a merger in which RLSP was merged into its parent JD(U) and Kushwaha was made party's parliamentary board president.<ref name=Express>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rlsp-merges-with-jdu-kushwaha-made-chairman-of-partys-parliamentary-board-7228475/|title=RLSP merges with JD(U), Kushwaha made chairman of party’s parliamentary board|website=Indian Express|access-date=14 March 2021}}</ref> Soon after his induction into JD(U), Kushwaha was nominated to the Legislative Council, the upper house of Bihar Legislature.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aajtak.in/india/bihar/story/upendra-kushwaha-become-bihar-mlc-jdu-cm-nitish-kumar-1223746-2021-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326034304/https://www.aajtak.in/india/bihar/story/upendra-kushwaha-become-bihar-mlc-jdu-cm-nitish-kumar-1223746-2021-03-17 |title=Upendra Kushwaha became MLC|website=Aajtak|access-date=25 March 2021|archive-date=25 March 2021}}</ref>

==Tenure as Minister of state for Human Resource Development ==
<Gallery>
Prakash Javadekar releasing the publication, at the presentation ceremony of the National level Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar, 2016-17 to the 172 selected Government Schools in the country, in New Delhi.jpg|Upendra Kushwaha and [[Prakash Javadekar]] releasing the publication, at the presentation ceremony of the National level Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar, 2016–17 to the 172 selected Government Schools in the country, in [[New Delhi]].
Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and Mrs. Kobita Ramdanee-Jugnauth being received by the Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Shri Upendra Kushwaha, on their arrival at IGI Airport, in New Delhi.jpg|[[Pravind Kumar Jugnauth]] and Mrs. Kobita Ramdanee-Jugnauth being received by the Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Shri Upendra Kushwaha, on their arrival at IGI Airport, in New Delhi.jpg
Ram Vilas Paswan and the Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Shri Upendra Kushwaha perform Yoga, on the occasion of the 4th International Day of Yoga 2018, in Hajipur, Bihar.JPG|[[Ram Vilas Paswan]] and the Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Shri Upendra Kushwaha perform Yoga, on the occasion of the 4th [[International Day of Yoga]] 2018, in [[Hajipur]], Bihar.

The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar presented the National level Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar, 2016-17 to the 172 selected Government Schools in the country, at a function, in New Delhi.jpg|The Union Minister of state for Human Resource Development, Shri Upendra Kushwaha presented the National level Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar, 2016–17 to the 172 selected Government Schools in the country, at a function, in New Delhi.
</Gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[Rashtriya Lok Samata Party]] in the [[16th Lok Sabha]]|years=2014–2021}}
{{s-ttl|title=President of parliamentary board of [[Janata Dal (United)]]|years= incumbent}}
{{s-end}}

{{Cabinet of Narendra Modi}}
{{16th LS members from Bihar}}

==Further reading==
{{commons category|Upendra Kushwaha}}
*{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Jitan-Ram-Manjhi-emerges-critical-player-in-poll-bound-Bihar/articleshow/47437850.cms|title=Jitan Ram Manjhi emerges critical player in poll-bound Bihar|work=The Times of India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kushwaha, Upendra}}
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Bihar]]
[[Category:16th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:People from Vaishali district]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Bihar]]
[[Category:People from Rohtas District]]
[[Category:Rashtriya Lok Samata politicians]]
[[Category:Samata Party politicians]]
[[Category:Narendra Modi ministry]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University alumni]]
[[Category:Bihar MLAs 2000–2005]]
[[Category:Janata Dal (United) politicians]]

Upendra Kushwaha - Revision history

->SdkbBot: Removed overlinked country wikilink and general fixes (task 2)