The political spotlight in Bihar has sharply turned to Chirag Paswan, the 42-year-old Union Minister for Food Processing Industries and president of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJP(R)], as buzz intensifies over his potential return to state politics and ambitions that many interpret as a soft launch of a future bid for the Chief Minister's post.
Why the Buzz?
The speculation gained traction after Chirag’s brother-in-law and MP Arun Bharti suggested that Chirag should contest the upcoming Bihar assembly elections from a general seat, signaling a desire to project him not just as a Dalit leader, but as a pan-Bihar, mainstream face. This narrative shift—from caste-based leadership to state-wide appeal—has prompted political circles to question whether Chirag is eyeing Nitish Kumar’s chair.
Adding to it, Chirag himself has voiced disinterest in national politics, stating:
“I don’t see myself in national politics for long… My vision has always been ‘Bihar First, Bihari First’.”
He emphasized that his motivation for joining politics was always rooted in Bihar’s development, and he now wants to return from Delhi to focus on the state.
CM Race or Pressure Strategy?
Though Chirag publicly insists:
“There is no vacancy for the CM post. Nitish Kumar will become CM after the elections,”
political observers believe this could be strategic posturing. There are two dominant theories:
1. Soft CM Projection
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Chirag’s party and allies are pushing a state leadership narrative.
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His consistent use of the slogan “Bihar First, Bihari First”, statewide tours, and growing popularity indicate a long-term positioning as a CM alternative.
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His appeal extends beyond the Dalit base (especially the Paswan community) and he's now trying to build cross-caste, youth, and aspirational voter support.
2. Pressure Tactic on BJP
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Chirag’s party delivered a 100% strike rate in 2024 Lok Sabha elections, winning all 5 seats it contested, giving him bargaining power in the NDA.
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With the seat-sharing formula for the 2025 Bihar elections still unsettled, Chirag’s high-profile state pivot may be a pressure tactic to extract a larger seat share.
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His rising stature is being leveraged to negotiate from a position of strength, especially with Nitish Kumar’s popularity and health in question.
The BJP’s Dilemma
The BJP has officially declared that 2025 Bihar assembly elections will be fought under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, but ground realities present a complex internal balancing act:
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Nitish’s health and fading appeal raise concerns about his ability to lead for a full term.
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Chirag, seen by some as the BJP's “Plan B”, could be positioned as a fallback CM option in case of a post-election leadership crisis.
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In 2020, Chirag’s LJP(R) contested alone and damaged JDU significantly, leading to BJP’s emergence as the dominant NDA player. That incident is still fresh in minds and could play a role in current calculations.
Conclusion: Strategic Patience or Tactical Provocation?
While Chirag denies any immediate bid to unseat Nitish Kumar, his actions speak louder than words. By reframing himself as a leader beyond Dalit politics, voicing Bihar-centric ambitions, and exerting subtle pressure on the BJP, Chirag is clearly laying the groundwork for a bigger role in Bihar’s future.
Whether it’s a genuine desire to serve the state or a negotiation lever for better electoral bargaining, the LJP(R) chief has undeniably inserted himself into the centre of Bihar’s 2025 power equation—with or without the chief ministerial baton.
