Jamui/Patna: Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Wednesday criticised the opposition, particularly Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying electoral success cannot be achieved through assumptions alone and requires sustained political effort, self-assessment and course correction.
Speaking to reporters in Jamui, Paswan said the opposition was failing to address its weaknesses and remained trapped in political “confusion”, while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) continued to strengthen its position.
Criticism of opposition strategy
Referring to the 2029 Lok Sabha election, Paswan said political outcomes are shaped by hard work and public confidence rather than personal belief.
He said opposition parties often regroup after electoral defeats but struggle to maintain unity when elections approach, which, according to him, weakens their credibility.
Paswan also referred to shifting alliances within the opposition bloc, saying ideological contradictions among its leaders made it difficult to present a stable alternative to voters.
NDA’s electoral confidence
Paswan said the NDA’s electoral strength was rooted in the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and public support for the government’s policies.
He claimed that unless opposition parties acknowledge their mistakes and reform their approach, their prospects of returning to power would remain limited for a long time.
Comments on polarisation and governance
Responding to a question on a recent controversial statement by a Samajwadi Party leader, Paswan said any form of extremist or divisive thinking, regardless of community, should be opposed.
He said the Centre’s guiding principle remained “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas”, adding that the goal of a developed India required participation from all sections of society.
UP 2027 poll plans
On the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly election, Paswan said his party was interested in contesting and was expanding its organisational base in the state.
He said the final decision on contesting would be taken by the party’s parliamentary board, but organisational strengthening in Uttar Pradesh remained a priority.
