On Wednesday, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju was given further duties. He became the new head of the Ministry of Food and Processing Industries, following the resignation of Pashupati Kumar Paras from the Union Council of Ministers. Rashtrapati Bhavan sent out a notification informing people of this decision.
In addition to his existing position in the Ministry of Earth and Sciences, President Droupadi Murmu designated Rijiju to supervise the ministry of food processing industries.
Pashupati Kumar Paras resigned on Tuesday as the Minister of Food Processing Industries, citing grievances against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for what he saw as unfair treatment towards his party, the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), in the seat-sharing arrangement for the Bihar Lok Sabha polls.
Dissatisfied, Paras brought up RLJP’s absence from the seat-sharing agreement in spite of its assertions. In July 2021, he was appointed as the Minister of Food Processing Industries as part of a cabinet reorganization.
In the future, reports indicate that Paras might run for office and perhaps even join forces with opposition parties. There are rumors of a potential partnership with the opposition alliance led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar, especially against his nephew Chirag Paswan in the Hajipur seat. Chirag Paswan, whose late father Ram Vilas Paswan held this seat, has declared his intention to run for the election.Regarding the RLJP’s future strategy, a spokesperson mentioned that party leaders would convene soon to chart the course ahead, emphasizing Paras’ intention to participate in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.