Chirag Paswan Signals Ambition for Bihar Chief Minister Role Ahead of Assembly Polls
Patna: Union Minister Chirag Paswan, leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), has expressed his intent to contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, fueling speculation about his aspirations for the chief minister’s position. Speaking to the media in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, as reported by The Indian Express, Paswan indicated a shift in focus from national to state politics, stating he does not wish to remain in central politics for long. He emphasized that his participation in the state elections would depend on whether it strengthens the prospects of both his party and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Paswan highlighted his party’s strong performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where LJP (Ram Vilas) secured a 100 percent strike rate, winning all five contested seats in Bihar as part of the NDA coalition. He expressed confidence in replicating this success in the state assembly polls scheduled for October-November 2025. However, when questioned about the NDA’s chief ministerial candidate, Paswan firmly stated, as per The Indian Express, that there is “no vacancy” for the post, signaling continued support for incumbent Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
The LJP (Ram Vilas) has been vocal about Paswan contesting from a general seat rather than a reserved constituency, a departure from his previous Lok Sabha campaigns in seats like Hajipur and Jamui. Party MP Arun Bharti, noted a unanimous resolution from a recent party meeting urging Paswan to take on a larger role in Bihar politics. Bharti’s comments reflect growing sentiment among party workers that Paswan represents the aspirations of all communities in Bihar, not just a single group.
Political observers, as reported by India Today, suggest Paswan’s push for a general seat and his focus on state politics could be a strategic move to either pressure the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for a favorable seat-sharing deal within the NDA or to position himself as a potential chief ministerial candidate. Despite these speculations, Paswan has publicly reiterated his support for Nitish Kumar’s leadership, dispelling notions of an immediate challenge to the current chief minister.
Paswan’s recent activities, including a closed-door meeting with Nitish Kumar in Patna last month, as noted, have further intensified discussions about his electoral strategy. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwary, remarked that Paswan’s moves indicate early tensions within the NDA over the chief ministerial candidacy.
As Bihar gears up for the assembly elections, Paswan’s ambition to play a pivotal role in state politics continues to stir debate, with his party positioning him as a dynamic leader capable of addressing Bihar’s diverse needs.