LJP(RV) urges Chirag to contest assembly polls from ‘general' seat
Bihar assembly elections
from a general seat instead of a reserved one, citing the sentiments of the people and party workers.
Bharti said Chirag was not the representative of a single community but the "hope of entire Bihar", a remark widely seen as an attempt to project him as a potential chief ministerial candidate.
Chirag, who currently holds the food processing industries portfolio in the Narendra Modi govt, has in recent media interactions hinted at taking a more active role in state politics. He rejoined the NDA in the run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Speculation around his assembly debut gained momentum after Bharti, also the party MP from Jamui, strongly advocated the move – first through a social media post and later in a media interaction.
"The people of Bihar have a rare attraction towards him (Chirag). He has acceptability across all castes and communities in the state. Everyone loves him," Bharti said in Delhi, adding that the party's state working committee has already suggested that Chirag take up a "bigger role" to accelerate Bihar's development.
While emphasising that some "political forces" had tried to limit Chirag's appeal to a specific caste, Bharti said he enjoyed wide support and must contest from a general seat to reflect his pan-Bihar identity. "Bihar has always remained at the centre of his politics," he added. "His vision for the state's development will become a reality only when he raises the issues from the 'Bihar House'," Bharti said.
Chirag has so far only contested Lok Sabha elections, including from reserved constituencies like Jamui and Hajipur.
His father, the late Ram Vilas Paswan, and uncle-turned-political rival Pashupati Kumar Paras began their political journeys in the Bihar assembly with Alauli in Khagaria as their launchpad before entering national politics.
"Jab neta pure Bihar ka hai, toh seat ka dayra kyon simit ho? (When the leader represents entire Bihar, then why should he be confined to a particular constituency?)" Bharti asked in his post, reiterating that Chirag's goal of an "Atmnirbhar Bihar" would be achievable only if he led the campaign while staying in the state.
Bharti said people across Bihar were urging Chirag to play a larger role in state politics. "A recent meeting of the party's state working committee has already passed a unanimous proposal that Chirag should himself contest the upcoming Bihar assembly elections," he said.
Party sources said LJP (RV) is working to expand its political footprint this election season. This was evident in a meeting of party workers held in Bikramganj on May 30, where it was decided to organise a "Nav Sankalp Mahasabha" at Babu Kunwar Singh Stadium in Ara on June 8. The meeting followed PM Narendra Modi's address in Bikramganj earlier that day.
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