New Delhi: Shortly after stepping down from the Union cabinet, Pashupati Paras on Saturday asserted that his party, the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), continues to be an important part of the BJP-led NDA alliance.

Paras made this statement days after his criticism of the BJP, alleging unfair treatment toward his party for being dropped from the NDA's seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

We are an integral part of NDA and declare our unwavering commitment to the alliance! Prime Minister Narendra Modi is our leader, and his decisions hold utmost importance for us. Under his guidance, we are confident that the NDA will secure a historic victory, winning over 400 seats across the nation and form the government for the third consecutive term with an unprecedented majority,” Paras said on Saturday in a post on X.

After Paras resigned as minister from the Narendra Modi-led central cabinet, there were speculations that he might join the Opposition INDIA bloc.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tej Pratap Yadav had said, the parties in the Grand Alliance will welcome him.

Grand Alliance is a regional bloc, comprising Congress, RJD, and JMM among others, for Bihar and Jharkhand.

Paras's statement on Saturday put an end to the speculation of RLJP joining the opposition alliance.