Chirag Paswan’s announcement to contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections marks a major shift in his political strategy and ambitions — a move that could reshape dynamics both within the NDA and in Bihar’s caste-driven electoral landscape.
Key Highlights:
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Chirag Paswan, currently a Lok Sabha MP from Hajipur and a Union Minister in Narendra Modi's cabinet, confirmed that he will enter state politics by contesting the Bihar Assembly polls for the first time.
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Speaking at a rally in Saran, he declared that his party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), will contest all 243 seats in alliance with BJP and JDU — a full-throttle approach compared to the 137 seats it contested in 2020 (winning just one).
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Paswan’s aggressive positioning reflects his intent to expand his influence beyond his current symbolic legacy as Ram Vilas Paswan’s son — and to stake a claim as a more decisive force in Bihar politics.
Strategic and Political Messaging:
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On Constitution and Reservation:
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Paswan accused the RJD-Congress alliance of threatening the Constitution and reservation policies.
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He invoked his father Ram Vilas Paswan’s legacy as a protector of Dalit rights, vowing:
“As long as I am alive, no one can threaten reservation or the Constitution.”
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This is a direct counter to the INDIA bloc's narrative, which has accused the BJP of planning to dismantle caste-based reservations.
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Veiled criticism of JDU and Nitish Kumar:
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Despite being an NDA ally, Paswan took aim at the Nitish Kumar-led government, criticizing Bihar’s law and order following the recent murder of businessman Gopal Khemka.
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His remarks —
“The government I support is known for sushaasan (good governance),”— were clearly a pointed reminder to JDU to get its act together ahead of the polls.
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Attack on Congress:
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Paswan linked Congress to the Emergency and accused it of “murdering the Constitution” by altering the Preamble.
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This historical reference aims to undercut Congress’ moral high ground on constitutional issues.
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Implications:
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Chirag’s entry into the assembly fray may cause friction within the NDA, especially with JDU, which is known to guard its space in Bihar fiercely.
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His emphasis on reservation, Constitution, and law and order suggests an attempt to reclaim the Dalit support base, traditionally loyal to LJP but now courted by both RJD and BJP.
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His critique of Nitish Kumar could position him as a potential CM face or at least a power broker if the NDA comes to power but lacks clear leadership consensus.
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His all-243-seats campaign mirrors his 2020 solo effort — this time, though, with full NDA backing, which may change outcomes if coordinated effectively.
Outlook:
The Bihar Assembly elections, expected in October–November 2025, are shaping up to be a high-stakes triangular contest between:
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NDA (BJP, JDU, LJP-RV)
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Mahagathbandhan (RJD, Congress, Left)
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Smaller regional players and possible independents
With seat-sharing talks pending and alliance chemistry under strain, Chirag Paswan’s assertive bid may either energize NDA’s youth and Dalit base — or trigger competitive friction that could help the opposition if not managed carefully.
