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Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Amid Bihar's shifting sands in twilight of Nitish, Chirag Paswan eyes centrestage
Suddenly, Bihar is back in the news. After all, it was from Bihar's Madhubani that the Prime Minister first chose to declare that India would track down to the ends of the earth those responsible for the killings of 26 innocent men in Pahalgam. Narendra Modi gave an all-party meeting called by the government on April 24 – two days after the Pahalgam terror attack – a miss to attend the Madhubani rally, for which he was criticised by the Opposition. Bihar clearly holds its own importance for Modi and his party. The BJP and the RSS would like to lead a government in the state, which has so far eluded them. It is early days yet to conclude whether nationalistic fervour would inform the Bihar Assembly elections slated for this year-end, or it would be fought on 'hyper-local' issues as many believe. Interestingly, it is Chirag Paswan who has begun to stir the election pot. The Union Minister for Food Processing Industries heads a small Bihar-centric party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). The undivided LJP – which split in 2021 following the demise of the party founder and Chirag's father Ram Vilas Paswan – had contested the 2020 Bihar polls on its own. But the party came a cropper with only one seat to its credit. Chirag returned to the NDA fold ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections which saw his party winning all five seats it contested in Bihar. In his government 3.0, Modi inducted the LJP(RV) chief as a Cabinet minister, and there were photographs going viral of the PM and Chirag together that reflected their chemistry. Today, Chirag has emerged as a symbol of the changes that are underway in Bihar. Clearly, he has his eyes set on the Pataliputra gaddi— as he gets set to contest the Assembly polls despite being an MP. His party has passed a resolution that he will take up 'bhavishya ki zimmedari'(responsibility of the future)— in other words, the chief ministerial role, without declaring it in so many words. The NDA will be contesting the elections under incumbent CM and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar's leadership, though. The LJP(RV)'s pitch for his 'future role' is aimed at projecting Chirag as the Dalit leadership's face – he is already considered a hero among Dalit youth – and expand his base among the Scheduled Castes (SCs), which constitute over 19% of Bihar's population. There was a split in the SCs in the state after Nitish categorised 21 of its 22 sub-castes as Mahadalits (or the more marginalised among them) who needed special government assistance, excluding just the Paswan group from it to which Chirag belongs. This created a cleavage between Paswans and Mahadalits. The Paswan community could determine the outcome of the polls in about 30 Assembly seats out of the state's 243. Chirag was said to be of the view earlier that his real challenge lay in enthusing his cadre to work with the NDA under Nitish's leadership since they were opposed to his rule. Mahadalits are part of Nitish's support base, along with Kurmis, Koeris, Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and Pasmanda Muslims (backward Muslims), which have always stood him in good stead on the electoral front. When he joined hands with the upper castes-backed BJP, they won successive polls. When he aligned with the Mahagathbandhan led by Lalu Prasad's RJD, they emerged victorious too. However, despite playing a key role in government-formation in all elections since 2005, Nitish's party put up a poor performance in the 2020 polls, when its tally dipped to 43 seats – much below the BJP's 74 – from 71 seats in 2015. One of the reasons for the JD(U)'s dismal showing was the damage caused to it by Chirag in as many as 40 seats. In about 26 seats, the LJP(RV) polled more votes than the JD(U)'s defeat margin. With the NDA's seat-sharing exercise yet to begin, Chirag is already upping the ante to stake his claim for all those seats where his party was seen to be a factor even if it did not win those seats. Significantly, he is also keen to contest from a 'general' seat in a bid to push his base beyond Dalits. This has prompted a question whether Chirag is trying to take Nitish's place by replicating his base amid a weakening JD(U). What is apparent is that he has decided to join the race, even if it may turn out to be a marathon, for the Bihar crown, which always eluded his father. The late Ram Vilas had worked with six PMs, from VP Singh to Narendra Modi, serving as a Union minister seven times. VP Singh saw him as a potential PM in the future—and openly spoke about it. Many believe that the 2025 elections may mark the end of the Nitish Kumar era. Although the NDA is fighting the Bihar polls under Nitish's leadership so as not to rock the boat, the CM's growing health problems will make it difficult for him to continue in his position. The BJP may keep him going as the CM for a short spell if the NDA wins the polls, following which it would want to take the helm itself. The BJP is already dealing with the JD(U) mainly through its other leaders like Sanjay Jha, who was named as the head of one of the seven multi-party delegations constituted by the Centre to mobilise global support in favour of India's position in the wake of Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor. The RJD, which came close to the finishing line in 2020, has so far not been able to add to its MY (Muslim-Yadav) base by getting the support of the EBCs, which the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP managed to do in UP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, when the latter got the better of the BJP. There has also been a rumbling in the RJD's first family, with Lalu recently disowning—and expelling from the party – his elder son Tej Pratap. A new factor in the Bihar polls this time would be the Jan Suraaj led by Prashant Kishor. The election strategist-turned-politician launched his party after undertaking a two-year padyatra across the state and has created a buzz. He has repeatedly called for Bihar to move beyond the politics of 'jaati and dharma' (caste and religion) in view of the state's perennial backwardness. It is to be seen how Jan Suraaj would impact the outcome of the Bihar polls. In the Hindi heartland states, the call to go beyond caste has usually had an appeal for the middle classes and upper castes, which are seen to be the BJP's supporters in Bihar. The 'social justice' parties like the RJD and the JD(U) have their own caste-based line-ups. Chirag knows only too well that if there was something that distinguished his father from other leaders of his time— it was his ability to remain relevant despite leading a small outfit. Another thing is getting clearer: The era of Lalu and Nitish is coming to an end. On the rise are young players like Tejeshawi Yadav of the RJD, Chirag and Prashant. What is going to prove decisive ultimately will be their ability to stay the course. (Neerja Chowdhury, Contributing Editor, The Indian Express, has covered the last 11 Lok Sabha elections. She is the author of 'How Prime Ministers Decide')
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Chirag fires salvo at Nitish before joining Bihar politics
PATNA: On the verge of joining Bihar politics, Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Wednesday fired a salvo at the Nitish Kumar government over a young girl's death after she was deprived of immediate treatment at a government hospital in Patna. In a letter to the chief minister, Paswan said the incident reflected poorly on the government's inadequate health infrastructure. The girl, who hailed from Muzaffarpur district, waited for hours in an ambulance at the government-run Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and died because of delayed treatment. The victim's family alleged hospital indifference caused her death. Paswan said, 'The heart-rending incident of Dalit girl's rape and murder exposes the failure of Bihar's law and order, social awareness and public health.' Paswan's letter comes amid reports that he may formally announce his intention to contest the Assembly elections at a public rally in Ara, Bhojpur district, next week. His letter is significant, given that the assembly elections are a few months away and Chirag's LJP(RV) and Nitish's JD(U) are constituents of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The Print
a day 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
NDTV
2 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
Chirag Paswan's Poll Message In Letter To Nitish Kumar On Bihar Rape-Murder
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Union Minister Chirag Paswan criticised Bihar CM Nitish Kumar over the Muzaffarpur rape-murder case, highlighting failures in law and health systems. With assembly polls approaching, his remarks may signal political maneuvering within the ruling coalition. New Delhi: Union Minister and BJP ally Chirag Paswan has written to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, also a BJP ally, on the Muzaffarpur rape-murder case, raising serious questions on the state's law and order situation and public health infrastructure. This letter assumes significance when seen against the political backdrop. Assembly polls in Bihar are due later this year, and Mr Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Mr Kumar's JDU are key players in the state. Also, despite the two leaders' show of bonhomie in recent times, their bitter rivalry in the past has not been forgotten. Mr Paswan has referred to the gruesome rape-murder of a nine-year-old Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur and said the heart-rending incident exposes the failure of Bihar's law and order, social awareness and public health. Union Minister Chirag Paswan writes to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar demanding strict action in the Muzaffarpur Dalit girl gangrape-murder case "All the rapists involved in this heinous crime should be arrested immediately and given the harshest punishment. A high-level judicial inquiry… — ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2025 The nine-year-old, whose throat was slit, was first admitted to a hospital in Muzaffarpur and then rushed to Patna. It is alleged that she had to wait hours for a bed at Patna Medical College and Hospital, Bihar's largest healthcare centre. The next day, she died. While her family has accused hospital authorities of negligence, the hospital administration has rejected these allegations. Mr Paswan has written that the victim had to wait for six hours to be admitted to the hospital. He says the doctors and administrative staff of the hospital are as guilty as the accused in the heinous crime. "They did not provide urgent treatment and lost precious time. This is not just negligence, but a crime against humanity," he wrote. The 42-year-old leader, who is Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, leads the LJP (Ram Vilas) and made headlines when his party won all five seats it contested during the Lok Sabha polls last year. Recently, he announced his intention to contest the upcoming state polls, prompting a buzz in Bihar's political circles. Mr Paswan said his party's representatives met the victim's family and assured them justice. "But justice will be incomplete and unacceptable unless the guilty face strict and transparent action on the administrative level," he said, demanding tough action against the accused and an inquiry against the healthcare staff. "This incident is not just a death. It has become a symbol of the failure of our social system and a failure of our constitutional responsibility. If the administration stays silent, this silence will become the biggest crime," he said. Coming months ahead of the Assembly polls, the rape-murder has raised a political storm in Bihar. Opposition RJD and Congress have gone all-out against the Nitish Kumar government and demanded the resignation of Health Minister Mangal Pandey. While the accused has been arrested, a probe has been ordered into what happened at PMCH. The ruling coalition of JDU and BJP has accused the Opposition of politicising the case. Against this backdrop, Mr Paswan's strong remarks are being seen as political posturing in the election season. An NDA ally that can brag of 100 per cent strike rate during the last Lok Sabha election, LJP (Ram Vilas) appears to have made a calculated move to pressure the BJP as NDA partners negotiate seat-sharing for the state polls.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Man held in Bihar for rape of 6-year-old girl
Surat: A police team sent to Bihar has arrested a 48-year-old man, Jaymangal Paswan, for the alleged rape of a six-year-old girl at Bhatlai village, in the jurisdiction of Ichhapore police, on May 26. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After the alleged crime, Paswan went to Udhna railway station and fled to Bihar. The victim lived with her parents and two siblings at a colony in Bhatlai village. On the morning of May 26, her father and mother went to their workplaces. Paswan, who was staying in the same colony, found the victim alone near her home at about 1pm. He allegedly took her to his house, tied her hands, gagged her and raped her. He then threatened the girl with a knife and hit her with a steel rod. He left the victim near her house and fled. Ichhapore police booked Paswan for rape, abduction, criminal intimidation and other offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. "We arrested him from near the Patna railway station, where he was hiding. We located him based on technical surveillance. Paswan is from Muzaffarpur district, where his wife, son and daughter live. He gone to Surat just three days before the crime and was working for a company in Hazira."
