Chirag Paswan, the leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and son of the late Ram Vilas Paswan, has announced his decision to contest the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Speaking at a public rally, Paswan declared, “I will contest the assembly polls in Bihar. I will contest not just from Bihar but for Bihar and its people.”
The 42-year-old leader, who had served as a Union minister following the last Lok Sabha elections, emphasized his commitment to fulfilling his father’s vision for the state. “I am the son of Ram Vilas Paswan. I will realise the dreams of my father and work for ‘Bihar first, Bihari first’ to change Bihar,” he said. Paswan also expressed his strong emotional connection to the people of Bihar, calling them his “only family” following his father’s demise.
Paswan clarified that the decision on which assembly seat he will contest from will be left to the people of Bihar. “It is for the people of Bihar to decide from which seat in the state I should contest the assembly elections. Whenever I take a political decision, I take it for the sake of the state and its people,” he added.
Addressing speculations about his ambitions, Paswan dismissed any notions that his electoral contest is driven by a desire to become Chief Minister. “Let me make one thing very clear. My contest will only ensure a better strike rate for my party, which would help the NDA,” he stated.
Chirag Paswan’s political journey has witnessed turbulence, especially after the 2020 assembly polls where he had contested against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), which fractured the alliance dynamics and gave the BJP a stronger footing in Bihar. The resulting tensions between Paswan and Kumar were widely reported.
In 2021, the LJP split amid a bitter family feud between Chirag Paswan and his uncle, Pashupati Paras, over the party’s legacy. The BJP’s support for the rebel faction and their subsequent cabinet appointment to Paras further complicated the political scenario.
However, ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has renewed its alliance with the Chirag Paswan-led faction of the LJP, indicating a strategic realignment ahead of the Bihar assembly polls.
Chirag Paswan reiterated his unwavering dedication to Bihar, stating, “My alliance is only with the people of Bihar. I will contest on all 243 seats to make the NDA stronger. I will live and die for Bihar and for the people of the state… for the pride of the state.”
As the Bihar assembly elections approach, all eyes will be on Paswan’s moves and the impact of his campaign on the state’s political landscape.
Sources By Agencies
