A New Power Center in the Making?
Union Minister Chirag Paswan, who leads the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), has expressed his desire to return to Bihar and contest in the upcoming Assembly elections. His recent political moves signal an ambition to become either a kingmaker or the next Nitish Kumar.
Though Paswan currently serves as Minister for Food Processing Industries, he says his heart lies in Bihar’s development. His plan to contest from a general seat — not a reserved one — shows his intent to reach beyond his traditional Paswan vote base.
Why BJP Is Wary
The BJP, though officially welcoming of his participation, is internally cautious. Some leaders view Paswan’s posturing as a result of the lack of strong BJP leadership in Bihar. A senior BJP leader admitted:
“If the BJP leadership had been properly defined in the state, this situation wouldn’t have arisen.”
BJP insiders believe Paswan is exploiting this leadership vacuum. A BJP MP from Bihar said, “He is expanding his appeal beyond the 4% Paswan vote share. He’s aiming for the wider electorate.”
Nitish Factor and BJP’s Dilemma
With Nitish Kumar’s influence waning, several believe Paswan wants to step into the void. The JD(U), Nitish’s party, still holds a larger vote share (18.52%) than the LJP(RV)’s 6.47% from the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Yet, Nitish’s long rule — often without majority — is an example Paswan could emulate.
BJP leaders say they must balance relations with both JD(U) and LJP(RV) as both are key allies. For now, BJP is sticking with Nitish, despite concerns about his health and public appeal.
“As long as Nitish’s name fetches votes, we will support him,” said a top BJP leader from Delhi.
Expanding Beyond Caste
Analysts agree Paswan is aiming for broader appeal. Mrityunjay Sharma, a BJP leader and author of Broken Promises: Caste, Crime and Politics in Bihar, said:
“Paswan wants to shift LJP’s image from a caste party to one that includes youth, women, and other social groups.”
His choice of a non-reserved seat supports this theory. However, challenges remain.
“Becoming a Nitish-level leader in the next five to ten years is a tough task,” Sharma added.
Bihar’s Political Puzzle
The BJP’s central leadership is aware that Bihar’s politics is highly fragmented. The party has never ruled the state on its own and has always relied on alliances. Thus, moves like supporting caste-based census are seen as tactics to secure OBC votes and maintain control.
Conclusion
Chirag Paswan’s assertive politics is forcing the BJP to rethink its Bihar game plan. With Nitish Kumar possibly nearing political retirement, Paswan’s ambition to be the new face of Bihar is gaining traction — but not without raising red flags in the NDA.
