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The Print
4 hours ago
- Health
- The Print
Chirag targets Nitish over Muzaffarpur case, flags ‘breakdown' in Bihar law & order, healthcare
In the letter, a copy of which is with ThePrint, Paswan urged Kumar to take 'strict action' in the 'heart-rending' gang rape and murder of a Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur, and highlighted what he called 'gross negligence' on the part of the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). Both Kumar and Paswan are allies in the NDA, and the letter assumes political significance ahead of the crucial Bihar assembly elections. According to sources, Paswan's intervention also underscores the internal complexities of the alliance and signals his intent to 'carve a larger role for himself in the state'. New Delhi: Union Minister Chirag Paswan has written to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the Muzaffarpur rape-murder case, expressing concern about the 'profound failure' of law and order and the public health system in the state. Criticising the PMCH, Paswan wrote: 'Instead of providing the necessary treatment to save the girl, the hospital left her in the ambulance, wasting precious time. This is not just negligence, but a crime against humanity.' 'The incident of gang rape and the subsequent attempted murder of a nine-year-old Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur's Kudhni area on 26 May has shaken the entire state. This horrific crime is not only the brutal killing of an innocent life but also highlights a deep breakdown in law and order, social consciousness, and the public health system of Bihar,' he added. The victim succumbed to her injuries at the PMCH on 1 June. Paswan alleged that she had to wait for over six hours in the ambulance before being admitted, severely affecting her chances of survival. This isn't the first time Paswan has positioned himself in opposition to Kumar. In the 2020 assembly elections, the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP)—before the split between Chirag Paswan and his uncle Pashupati Paras—had contested solo, despite being part of the NDA at the Centre. The party won just one of the 137 seats it contested, but inflicted significant damage on JD(U), which saw its tally drop to 43 from 71 in 2015. LJP's 5.7 percent vote share reportedly affected JD(U)'s fortunes in at least 28 constituencies. 'Nitish Kumar ji was once synonymous with good governance—that situation has changed drastically. Chirag Paswan is only reflecting the reality on the ground. Issues of lawlessness and crumbling healthcare must be urgently addressed ahead of the elections,' said a senior LJP (Ram Vilas) leader. Also read: 'Bihar First, Bihari First'—Chirag Paswan says will contest Bihar polls, backs Nitish for CM Speculation after posters go up projecting Paswan as CM face During his 2020 campaign, Chirag had openly targeted Kumar and JD(U), while carefully maintaining his support for the BJP. His recent statement indicating willingness to contest the upcoming assembly polls has once again stirred political speculation. Posters projecting him as a potential chief ministerial face have surfaced across Bihar, though in an interview with ThePrint, Paswan reiterated that Kumar remains the NDA's CM candidate. Paswan further stated that the perpetrators of the gang rape were 'as guilty as the doctors and administrators at PMCH who failed to provide immediate care'. He called this 'a crime against humanity'. The union minister has urged the CM to arrest the accused immediately and ensure they receive the 'harshest' punishment. He has also called for a high-level judicial inquiry into the conduct of the PMCH hospital staff, demanding that 'criminal charges be filed against those who deliberately delayed treatment' and that 'immediate suspension and departmental action' follow. Representatives of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) have visited the victim's family and assured them of 'every possible effort to ensure justice.' 'But until firm and transparent action is taken against all responsible—both within the government and the administration—justice will remain incomplete and unacceptable,' Paswan concluded. The Opposition has also slammed the Bihar government over the case. ThePrint has sought a comment from the JD(U). This report will be updated if and when a response is received. However, a senior JD(U) leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said this was not the first time that Paswan had publicly criticised the Bihar government. 'He is part of the NDA, but from time to time he raises issues to distinguish himself as a different kind of leader. He is trying to carve his own path. But such tactics may not help him in the long run. He could have communicated these issues without going public,' said the JDU leader. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: Father always wanted to be part of Centre, my reason to enter politics was Bihar & Biharis—Chirag Paswan
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
News Analysis: Ahead of polls, all eyes in Bihar on Chirag Paswan's next political move
Poll-bound Bihar is witnessing fast-paced developments with Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP from Jamui, Arun Bharti, brother-in-law of party chief Chirag Paswan, saying that supporters want Mr. Paswan to contest the upcoming Assembly election in Bihar, and that too not from any reserved seat but from a general seat. He said this would send a message that he was a leader able to bridge caste lines. Mr. Paswan, who is currently the MP from Hajipur (reserved) seat and the Union Food Processing Industries Minister, himself said in Chhattisgarh that he 'doesn't see himself in national politics for long and the only reason he came into politics was Bihar and Biharis'. Mr. Paswan, who had represented Jamui, a reserved seat, twice in 2014 and 2019, is likely to call a meeting of the LJP(RV) Executive Committee soon to formalise a proposal urging him to contest the upcoming Assembly election. Posters urging him to contest elections from Sheikhpura and Ara seats, and claiming that only he could stop migration from Bihar, are being put up. However, the buzz around junior Paswan centres around two questions. The first is whether he is gearing up to play a bigger role in State politics at the behest of senior National Democratic Alliance partner BJP. The second is whether he has become overambitious in exploring opportunities to be the next Bihar Chief Minister amid concerns over incumbent Nitish Kumar's health and a perceived vacuum on the top after the election. The third is whether the BJP would use Mr. Paswan again to dent the plans of both the Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal and ally Janata Dal (United), as he had done in the 2020 Assembly election. In 2020, the undivided LJP put up candidates at 130 Assembly seats out of the total 243, especially seats contested by the JD(U) and was instrumental in the latter's tally in the Assembly falling to just 43. The JD(U) finished third behind the BJP and RJD in the election and it emerged that the LJP had hurt the JD(U)'s winning chances in at least two dozes seats. Mr. Paswan comes from the Dalit Paswan community which accounts for 5.311% of the State's population, as per the 2022 caste survey. Currently, Mr. Paswan-led LJP (RV) has five MPs but no representation in the State Assembly. After the 2020 election, Mr. Kumar and Mr. Paswan had an uneasy relationship as Mr. Kumar and his party leaders accused Mr. Paswan of fielding party candidates to 'deliberately' defeat the JD(U). However, there was soon a twist, with LJP spliting into two parties - the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) led by Mr. Paswan's uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras and the LJP(RV) of Mr. Paswan. Mr. Paras, was sidelined in the NDA and walked out of the block while Mr. Paswan was appointed an Union Minister. Recently, he met Mr. Kumar at his residence and after the meeting, asserted that the 'NDA would contest the upcoming Assembly election under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and he will be our leader in the State'. 'Chirag Paswan can contest the Assembly election as every party leader is free to take his own decision but it is very clear that from 2025-30, there will be Nitish Kumar once again,' party spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said on Monday, responding to the recent developments. However, the Opposition RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari said, 'The BJP has trapped Mr. Paswan once again to hurt Mr. Kumar in the election… it is now very clear that the BJP doesn't want Mr. Kumar to continue as CM after the Assembly poll and the tussle in the NDA has begun,' he said. But, is Mr. Paswan overambitious in looking for an opportunity to fill the Chief Minister post? 'May be, but it will be interesting to see whether the BJP would want to offer that seat to Mr. Paswan after election,' said political analyst Nawal Kishore Choudhary. He further asked, 'Why should the BJP promote Mr. Paswan when he too can become another Nitish Kumar?'. On the posters urging Mr. Paswan to contest the State election, he said: 'Don't go by these posters as they could be misleading. He or, the BJP must have chosen a seat for him which will be revealed at a proper time', Mr. Choudhary added.
Time of India
2 days 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.
Indian Express
2 days 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.
Mint
3 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
‘I don't see myself in national politics': Chirag Paswan hints at contesting Bihar Assembly elections
Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Monday said that he does not see himself in national politics for long and his focus has always been 'Bihar first', to see that the development of the state is at par with others. 'I have said this previously, that I don't see myself in National politics for long. The only reason I came into politics was Bihar and Biharis. My vision has always been 'Bihar first, Bihari first', and I always want Bihar to prosper and be at par with other developed states,' the leader said speaking to reporters in Chhattisgarh. Paswan was elected as a Lok Sabha MP in 2024 for the third time. However, the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader expressed that he wanted to return to Bihar soon as his vision of making the state develop will not be possible if he stays in Delhi. 'I have realised after becoming an MP for the third time that this would not be possible in Delhi. I had expressed my wish before the party that I want to return to Bihar soon,' Chirag Paswan said. On contesting the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections, Chirag Paswan said his party is still evaluating his participation, suggesting he is likely to get a ticket for the polls. 'My party is still evaluating whether my party will benefit if I contest the Vidhan Sabha elections now. If my strike rate gets better and the performance of my alliance gets better, of which there are high chances, then I will definitely contest,' Paswan told reporters. However, he clarified that he will not become the chief minister as that position will be given to Nitish Kumar. 'There is no vacancy for the CM post in Bihar. Nitish Kumar will become the CM after the elections.' The LJP (Ram Vilas) chief further said that he will follow the party's order regarding contesting Bihar elections. 'I will obey my party's wishes. For now, we are yet to discuss it,' he said. LJP (Ram Vilas) MP Arun Bharti on Sunday hinted at the possibility of Union Minister and party president Chirag Paswan contesting the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Bharti also revealed that during a recent state executive meeting, party leaders formally proposed that Paswan consider a larger role in Bihar politics. The Bihar Assembly elections are expected to be held in October and November this year, wherein the NDA, which consists of the BJP, JD(U), and LJP, will be once again looking forward to returning to power. In contrast, the INDIA Bloc will be giving competition to the incumbent Nitish Kumar government.
