‘We were mum on students’ stir’: U.P. RLD chief quits, flags corruption
Speaking to The Hindu in Lucknow, Mr. Rai, said the way RLD, a party known to take positions on issues of public interest stopped making interventions over core matters, forced to him to take the step of resigning from the position and the party
On August 7, 2026, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) state president of Uttar Pradesh Ramashish Rai resigned from the party, citing ideological and moral reasons. Rai expressed his concern over "continuous attacks on institutions and rising corruption", which he argued pose a threat to democracy and constitutional values in the country. In a letter to Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Education Jayant Chaudhary, Rai further stated that democracy is being usurped by financially powerful individuals, and society is divided along caste and religious lines for electoral gains. He also highlighted the neglect of matters of public good, such as education and employment.
Rai's decision to resign came as he felt that the RLD, a party known for its stance on public interest issues, had stopped intervening in critical matters, particularly regarding students and the youth during recent protests. He felt this departure from the party's traditional politics pained him, leading him to make this decision in the broader interest of society and Indian democracy.
When asked about his future political affiliation, Rai stated that his next move would depend on consultation with supporters and well-wishers. His primary concern, he reiterated, was the preservation of the democratic and socialist fabric of the nation. The RLD, the largest alliance partner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh, secured two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha MP in the 2024 elections. In the Uttar Pradesh assembly with 403 members, RLD holds nine MLAs and one MLC.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
