Patna : Union Minister and LJP (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan has reignited political chatter in Bihar with a declaration that he wants to return to state politics. In a recent interview, Chirag Paswan stated, “My state is calling me. I don’t want to remain in central politics for long.”
His remarks have fuelled speculation of a bigger role in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections and possibly a renewed bid for the chief minister’s post. “My father was more active in central politics, but my priority is Bihar First,” he said, invoking his 2013 campaign slogan “Bihar First, Bihari First.”
RJD: ‘A BJP conspiracy to sideline JDU’
Chirag Paswan’s statement has drawn a sharp response from rival parties. RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmed alleged that the BJP is orchestrating the move to marginalise Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his party, the JDU.
“Chirag is being used again, just like in 2020. This is BJP’s old game — weaken allies after using them. Now they want to reduce JDU to the fourth largest party,” Ahmed claimed.
The Paras faction of the LJP also criticised Paswan’s comments. Shravan Aggarwal, its national spokesperson, accused him of insulting his father, the late Ram Vilas Paswan. “Chirag calling himself more rooted in Bihar is an indirect slight to Ram Vilas ji’s legacy,” he said. “He’s dreaming of becoming CM, but it’s a BJP-driven fantasy.”
BJP Welcomes Move, Sees Dalit Mobilisation
The BJP, however, welcomed the development. Party spokesperson Prabhakar Mishra called Chirag “the Prime Minister’s Hanuman”, asserting that his re-entry into state politics would bolster Dalit support for the NDA. “His father laid railway lines, now Chirag is paving political paths,” he added.
From Acting to Politics
Chirag Paswan, 42, first entered public life through Bollywood, starring opposite Kangana Ranaut in Mile Na Mile Hum (2011). He contested and won the Jamui seat in 2014 and 2019. Following internal rifts after his father’s death in 2020, the party split — with Chirag leading the LJP (Ram Vilas) faction and becoming the Hajipur MP in 2024.
He currently serves as Minister of Food Processing Industries and holds significant influence among Bihar’s Dalit voters.
