Patna : Chirag Paswan, the national president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Minister for Food Processing in the Narendra Modi-led government, has once again asserted his political commitment to Bihar, reigniting debates over alliance dynamics ahead of the 2025 state assembly elections.
Speaking to reporters, Paswan underscored a clear divergence from the political path of his late father, Ram Vilas Paswan. “My father was committed to central politics. I, on the other hand, am determined to stay in Bihar and serve its people,” he said. Citing the hardships faced by migrant workers from Bihar in metropolitan cities like Delhi and Mumbai, Paswan reiterated his party’s “Bihar First, Bihari First” vision, asserting that meaningful change cannot be effected from the Centre.
Chirag Paswan’s remarks have caused ripples across Bihar’s political spectrum. Leaders from both the BJP and JD(U) — constituents of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) — have welcomed his focus on the state, framing it as a potential boost for the alliance in next year’s polls.
“Chirag Paswan’s youth and commitment are assets to the NDA. His presence on the ground will galvanise support and strengthen our coalition,” said Neeraj Kumar, spokesperson for the JD(U). He reiterated that the alliance remains committed to contesting the 2025 elections under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership.
The BJP, too, played down any signs of internal discord, with party spokespersons expressing optimism about Paswan’s role in consolidating NDA’s voter base.
However, opposition parties have taken a sharply different view. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress accused the BJP of deploying Paswan as a political tool to undermine Nitish Kumar. “This is a repeat of 2020,” said Congress spokesperson Gyan Ranjan. “Chirag Paswan is being positioned as BJP’s Hanuman to torch Nitish Kumar’s political Lanka.”
RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmed echoed these concerns, claiming that the BJP has long sought to weaken JD(U) and is now doing so by strategically backing Paswan.
The renewed focus on Bihar by Chirag Paswan — and the controversy it has stirred — reflects the evolving fault lines within the NDA as Bihar gears up for a pivotal electoral battle in 2025.
