Ara/Patna: Chirag Paswan, Union Minister and president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), declared on Sunday that his party is prepared to contest all 243 seats in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections — a move he framed as an effort to strengthen the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Speaking at the Nav Sankalp Mahasabha in Ara’s Ramna Maidan, Chirag said:“If people ask whether I will contest the elections — yes, I will. I will contest on 243 seats, as Chirag Paswan, to strengthen the NDA. A big NDA victory is my goal.”
शाहाबाद की वीर भूमि से #Live : नवसंकल्प महासभा
📍बाबू वीर कुंवर सिंह स्टेडियम, रमना मैदान, आरा#ChiragKaNavsankalp https://t.co/jczsWzgx9N— युवा बिहारी चिराग पासवान (@iChiragPaswan) June 8, 2025
His remarks came amid mounting speculation over his political strategy in the run-up to this year’s state elections, and as debates continue within the NDA over seat-sharing arrangements.
Chirag sought to dispel rumours about whether he himself would stand for an assembly seat, saying the final decision would rest with the party’s Parliamentary Board. “Some people are spreading confusion about my contesting the elections. If I do, it will be with the aim of improving my party’s strike rate and strengthening the alliance,” he said.
The LJP (Ram Vilas) leader also used the platform to attack the opposition alliance of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress. He accused both parties of having perpetuated the so-called ‘Jungle Raj’ in Bihar. “Congress is as responsible as RJD for the Jungle Raj that we talk about,” he said. “Their government at the Centre did not honour Karpoori Thakur with the Bharat Ratna. It is our government that has conferred this honour.”
The NDA is currently finalising its seat-sharing formula for Bihar. Sources suggest that JD(U) and BJP will contest over 200 seats between them, with smaller allies, including Chirag’s party, allotted a smaller share.
Chirag’s bold statement about contesting all seats may be an opening gambit in those negotiations — and a signal of his ambitions to consolidate his position within the NDA ahead of the polls.
