Latest news with #Chirag
India Today
6 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
From 'Vote Katua' to Kingmaker? Chirag's return stirs unease in NDA ahead of Bihar polls
With Chirag Paswan hinting at contesting the upcoming Bihar elections, 'Chirag for CM' posters coming up across the state, and reports of his party demanding 33 seats, an eerie unease returns to the NDA, similar to the one witnessed during the 2020 Vidhan Sabha polls. Chirag aims to restore the past glory of the party and throw in his hat for the Chief Ministership in the state, staring at the political vacuum in a post-Nitish era. With the BJP still struggling to create a pan-state leader, this would pitch him in a direct battle with Tejashwi Yadav, party strategists 2020 Chacha-Bhatija SagaChirag Paswan, unhappy at being denied 30 seats in the alliance, decided to contest on a standalone basis. To the utter surprise of everyone, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) put up candidates against the JDU and not against the BJP, ostensibly at the behest of the saffron party, even fielding some rebels of the saffron party. The strategy allegedly was to weaken Nitish Kumar while at the same time crowding out the opposition and damaging Mahagathbandhan's (MGB) prospects by bagging a section of anti-NDA votes. In a very close election where NDA and MGB were tied at around 37 per cent vote share, NDA edged out MGB 125-110 in assembly strength of LJP(R) candidates received a higher number of votes than the victory margin in 73 of the 137 seats contested, damaging the prospects of NDA in 40, MGB in 32 and Others in 1 seat. Chirag specifically targeted JD(U), bagging a section of BJP voters unhappy with its decision to continue to project Nitish as chief was largely responsible for bringing down JDU's tally from 71 in 2015 to 43 in 2020. LJP(R) damaged JDU in 33 seats. In the 28 seats where JDU was runner-up, LJP(R) got more votes than the margin of victory. On five seats, it pushed JDU to the third spot, emerging as runner-up. While the party could win just one seat, it played spoilsport to the cause of JDU-LJP(R) riftLJP(R) is eyeing more seats to take advantage of a weakening JDU and the fragile health of Nitish. There is a strong historical reason for the unease in the relationship between the two parties. In its first election in Bihar in March 2005, LJP(R) emerged as the choice of Dalits, bagging a 12 per cent vote share and winning 29 seats, forcing a hung assembly. In the elections which followed in six months, while LJP(R) more or less retained the vote share, its tally fell to 10 seats, resulting in the onset of the Nitish era. The Dalit population in Bihar was 16 per cent as per the 2011 census. Acting on recommendations of the State Mahadalit Commission, Nitish created a separate category for marginalized SCs in 2007 in a bid to cultivate his constituency among them and politically weaken Ram Vilas Paswan (Chirag's late father).All Scheduled Caste groups accounting for 10 per cent of the population were included under Mahadalits, leaving out only the Paswans or Dusadhs accounting for 6 per cent. Since this move, the LJP(R)'s vote share has halved from 11 per cent in 2005 to 7 per cent in 2010 and further to 6 per cent in 2020. Its seat tally has declined from 29 in 2005 to 3 in 2010 and then to just 1 in the 2020 Vidhan Sabha polls. The LJP(R)'s clout has declined in the Nitish era as he emerged as the leader of Mahadalits, restricting Paswan's hold to just their contrasting poll fortunesLJP(R) exhibits contrasting performance in Bihar. Its tally has been reduced from three in 2010 to just one in 2020 state elections, highlighting inconsistency in its alliance strategy. In 2010, it contested with the RJD. In 2015, it shifted to a BJP-led alliance, while in 2020, it contested alone, rebelling from the NDA, or rebelling from part of the NDA. In the Lok Sabha elections, on the other hand, it has achieved a 100 per cent / near 100 per cent strike rate. It won 6/7 seats in 2014 as an NDA ally, 6/6 in 2019 and 5/5 in 2024, riding on the Modi wave during this period. Chirag's father, called a political mausam vaigyanik, shifted to NDA from UPA before the 2014 general elections, sensing public mood in favour of from 2020 DebacleThe lesson for Chirag after the 2020 debacle is that he cannot risk dabbling alone again in 2025. He was labelled a vote katua party during 2020. He needs to stick with the alliance to win a handful of seats and regain relevance in state is why, despite overzealous party workers, Chirag has clearly mentioned that there is no vacancy for the CM post in NDA, Nitish would continue to be the CM face, and that he is not throwing his hat in the ring. At the same time, he is aware that the LJP(R) brings an extra 6 per cent of votes to the alliance, and is looking to leverage it in seat distribution party's goal is to reclaim the past glory under the late Ram Vilas Paswan in state politics and equal the best-ever 12.6 per cent vote share, emerging as the choice of the entire SC community and not only Paswans/Dusadhs, which account for 5.31 per cent of population as per Bihar Caste Survey. The BJP has given an NOC to the LJP(R)'s desire to field Chirag as a candidate and that too from a general seat as the party hopes to extend influence beyond his entry may be seen suspiciously by JDU as another ploy by the BJP to weaken Nitish. BJP Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, who nurses CM ambitions, may also not be happy at this prospect as it weakens his claim for the top post. Chirag is young and is believed to have a decent statewide presence. The BJP, which lacks leaders, wishes to pitch him against Tejashwi, who is emerging as the number one choice of the youth reeling from the unemployment Paswan has risen in the CM preference ratings in the C-Voter survey from 5.8 per cent in April to 10.6 per cent in May (+4.8 per cent). He has gained at the expense of Samrat Chaudhary, whose ratings have declined from 12.5 per cent to 6.6 per cent (-5.9 per cent).(Views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author)Must Watch
News18
18 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Chirag Paswan's Bihar Gambit: Start By Asking For 45 Seats, Deputy CM 'Dream' In The Long Run?
Last Updated: Sources said LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan is serious about the Bihar assembly polls and is likely to contest from a general seat rather than a traditionally reserved seat The BJP may have made it clear that Nitish Kumar will be chief minister if they win the Bihar assembly election – regardless of the numbers – but Chirag Paswan's desire to leave Delhi and return to state politics is being seen in many quarters as a challenge to the JD(U) leader. Union minister Chirag Paswan, the leader of NDA ally Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), has been 'positioning" himself to ask for a better share of seats, 45 to be precise, reliable sources told News18. 'Chirag Paswan is aware of the sanctity of an endorsement (of Nitish Kumar) by someone like that of Amit Shah (in the Gopalganj rally). He is not in that race (to become CM), let me be very clear about that. But does he want his party to have a fair deal this election and grow bigger? Yes," said a source on condition of anonymity. Chirag on Monday expressed his intention to contest the assembly election. 'I don't see myself in central politics for too long. My reason for entering politics was Bihar and the people of Bihar. I want to take forward my vision of 'Bihar First, Bihari First'," he said. 'Sometimes, when national leaders contest state elections, it does help the party grow. If my participation helps the alliance and strengthens the NDA's position in Bihar, I will contest," he added. According to sources, Chirag is serious about the election and his party MP Arun Bharti, who is also his brother-in-law, told the media that rather than contesting from a traditionally reserved seat, he will fight from a general seat given he 'represents every segment of society". Sources in LJP (Ram Vilas) said even before their leader's announcement, a quiet audit was being conducted by third parties to find the seat that will ensure a bumper win for him, while also translating into a big help for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Having won from a reserved seat like Jamui and Hajipur (his father Ram Vilas Paswan contested from this seat, which became a bone of contention with his uncle at one point), the Union minister is focused on a general seat like Nawada. 'He will be fighting from Nawada, this Bihar election. It is confirmed," Bharti told News18. The seat has 70,000 Bhumihars, 55,000 Yadavs, 50,000 SC/ST voters and 30,000 each Kushwaha and Muslim voters. It is a mixed constituency that will help him emerge as a face defying Bihar's caste considerations, said people close to him. 'Every alliance leader has the right to operate their party the way they wish to operate. I don't think we need to comment upon it," Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal told News18 in a brief statement, when asked to react to Chirag's intentions. But, why this aggressive push now and can he get 45 seats? Those close to Chirag insisted that he has reason to believe that Nitish Kumar's health may not allow him to complete a full term if the NDA returns to power. In such a scenario, he will have a chance to claim the deputy chief minister's post. At present, he commands a 6 per cent vote share and hopes to increase the bar this time, which is why he wants to bargain hard for 45 seats. Reacting to the seat count, however, a BJP source told News18 that 'we will cross the bridge when it comes". 'It's any alliance partner's right to demand. Last year, after the BJP and JD(U) seat-sharing was done, the BJP had to accommodate smaller allies like the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), led by Mukesh Sahni, from its own quota. Where is the scope? But yes, our leaders will sit with an open mind when the time is right," the source said. In the 2020 election, the JD(U) contested 115 seats but won only 43. The BJP, meanwhile, won 71 out of 110 seats it contested while the HAM won four of seven seats. Vikaasheel Insaan Party won four of the 11 it contested, taking the NDA's score to 125. The LJP, which was part of the NDA, had quit the alliance before the election while the RLSP was also not part of the alliance. First Published: June 03, 2025, 08:30 IST
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ready to contest Bihar assembly polls if it helps my party improve strike rate: Chirag Paswan
NEW DELHI: In what can further stir the already roiled Bihar political waters, LJP leader, Union minister Chirag Paswan, has said that he was open to contesting the forthcoming assembly polls if that helps his party and improves its "strike rate". Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'The has tried this strategy many times by fielding their MPs in the assembly elections and have got its benefit. If my candidature in the assembly polls strengthens my party's position and my strike rate increases — we had a 100% strike rate in the Lok Sabha elections, I would like my strike rate to be good in the seats where my party and the alliance will be contesting,' Paswan said in a video clip that he reposted on his X handle. The Union minister said that he did not see himself being confined to central politics for long, adding that his desire to improve conditions in Bihar and people there was the sole reason why he joined politics. 'I have my own vision of Bihar first, Bihari first. In such a situation, I want my state to stand at par with developed states. After becoming an MP for the third time, I realised that it may not be possible (to work for Bihar) by staying in Delhi,' he said. Chiarag also said that he had shared his views before party leaders that he wanted to go back to Bihar 'quickly'. He added that if the party's evaluation finds it will benefit from his contesting in the polls, he would contest in the assembly election. Chirag, who has successfully inherited the reins of the LJP fending off a strong claim by his uncle, is seen as a potential swing factor in Bihar politics because of his hold over fellow Paswans who account for nearly 4.5% of the population. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He has never been loath to leverage this to drive hard bargains and seek to force reluctant partners to acquiesce in his demands. Chief minister and his JD(U) paid a stiff cost for underestimating his 'damage potential' in 2020 as Chirag, angered by the latter's dismissal of his claim for at least 30 of the 240 seats, focused his energy on hurting Kumar's candidates. The revenge strike saw Nitish's tally dipping to 42. BJP helped them patch up and recently Chirag's statement that there was no vacancy for the job of CM was seen as accommodative of JD(U)'s insistence that their leader was deserving of one more term and BJP's desire to spare the CM discomfiture. Chirag repeated this on Monday in response to a question from a reporter.'There is no vacancy for the post of Bihar CM. Nitish Kumar will be on the post after the polls.' However, the tone of the statement and the build up for it, with his brother-in-law, LS member Arun Bharti telling media Chirag could consider an assembly run, suggest that he is not reconciled to being the perpetual fourth fiddle after BJP, RJD and JDU and could he positioning himself for a hard stand in seat-sharing talks among NDA partners, as well for the openings which may come up post -assembly elections.
India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
Chirag Paswan's Bihar bid: Pressure tactic on BJP or BJP's strategy to replace Nitish? Experts debate
Politics is heating up in Bihar ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. In the latest political googly from the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), the party is advocating its party supremo, Chirag Paswan, to contest the assembly elections in Bihar. And not from a reserved, but a general seat. His party is pushing the narrative that Chirag is not just a Dalit leader and should contest the Assembly elections, indicating he is eyeing the Chief Minister's post. All this when the NDA has already declared the upcoming Bihar elections will be fought under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, which is even echoed by Chirag Paswan himself. So what explains the Chirag for CM narrative spun by his own party? Watch as experts share their views on this and more on this episode of Political Stock Exchange.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Chirag Paswan keen to contest Bihar polls, claims Nitish will remain CM
Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan on Monday said he will 'definitely contest' the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections if his candidature improves the prospects of his party as well as the ruling NDA alliance in the state. When asked about the possibility of his contesting the Bihar polls, Chirag told the media, 'I have already said that I don't see myself in the politics of the Centre for a longer period. The reason for my entry into politics is Bihar and Biharis (people of Bihar). I have my own vision – Bihar first, Bihari first. In such a situation, I want my state Bihar to stand at par with developed states. After becoming an MP for the third time, I realised that it may not be possible by staying in Delhi.' The LJP(RV) chief was talking to reporters at Swami Vivekananda Airport in Chhattisgarh's Raipur. Chirag said he has expressed his wish to contest the Bihar polls to his party. 'The party is evaluating whether my candidature will benefit it. Because when national leaders contest state elections, that strengthens your position in the elections. The BJP has tried this strategy many times by fielding their MPs in the Assembly elections and have got its benefit. So, if my move to enter the poll fray improves the strike rate of my party and performance of the alliance (NDA), which is appearing possible in discussions, then I will definitely contest,' he said. Chirag pointed out that the LJP(RV) achieved a 100 per cent strike rate in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Bihar and that he would like his party's strike rate to be just as good in the state Assembly polls due in October-November this year. Contesting the Lok Sabha polls as part of the NDA coalition, the LJP(RV) won all five seats it contested. Asked about the NDA's chief ministerial face in the Bihar polls, Chirag said, 'There is no vacancy for the post of Bihar CM. Current CM Nitish Kumar will be CM again after the poll results.' It is another matter that Chirag has been known for having a strained relationship with the JD(U) and its supremo Nitish. Chirag's statement came a day after LJP(RV) MP Arun Bharti, in an X post, said that the party workers want him to contest the Assembly election and that too from a general seat. 'Our national president Chirag Paswan ji always says that his politics is Bihar-centric and his vision 'Bihar First, Bihari First' is a resolution for a developed and self-reliant Bihar. This is possible only when he himself stays in Bihar and leads. When I went from village to village as the state in-charge, people everywhere had only one demand – that Chirag ji should now play a bigger role in Bihar. Recently, in the party executive meeting, a proposal was also passed unanimously that he should contest the upcoming Assembly elections himself,' Bharti stated. 'At the same time, there is a feeling among the workers that this time he (Chirag) should contest the election not from a reserved seat but from a general seat – so that the message goes out that he is now ready to lead the entire Bihar and not just one section. Chirag Paswan today is not just a representative, he is the hope of the whole of Bihar. His move will give a new direction to the politics of social justice…' Bharti added. Chirag is currently MP from Hajipur (SC-reserved), the constituency of his father and LJP founder late Ram Vilas Paswan. In the 2020 Bihar polls, the then undivided LJP had gone solo, winning just one seat out of 135 seats the party contested, even though it caused damage to the JD(U) on several seats.
