NEW DELHI, March 20: In a significant development, President Droupadi Murmu has accepted the resignation of Union Food Processing Industries Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras, following his resignation on March 19.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan issued a statement confirming the acceptance of Paras’s resignation and the subsequent decision regarding the ministry’s portfolio.
Paras tendered his resignation amid accusations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of injustice towards his Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) in the seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Bihar.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for allocating seats to the Chirag Paswan-led LJP faction, ignoring his faction’s claims.
“The President of India, as advised by the prime minister, has accepted the resignation of Pashupati Kumar Paras from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect,” stated the Rashtrapati Bhavan communique.
Following Paras’s resignation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the assignment of additional responsibilities to Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Rijiju has been entrusted with the charge of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, in addition to his existing portfolio.
“The President has directed that Kiren Rijiju be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, as advised by the prime minister,” the Rashtrapati Bhavan statement further added.
Rijiju, a senior minister in the Modi government, now assumes the crucial role of overseeing the Food Processing Industries Ministry alongside his existing responsibilities. This move is aimed at ensuring continuity and effective governance in the ministry amid the ongoing political developments.
The resignation of Pashupati Kumar Paras and the subsequent portfolio adjustment for Kiren Rijiju underscore the dynamics within the NDA alliance and the evolving political landscape in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
As the electoral scenario unfolds, the allocation of ministerial portfolios remains crucial in maintaining stability and efficiency in the government machinery.






