With the Bihar elections approaching, new political alignments are expected to take shape. Union minister Chirag Paswan recently revealed that his late father, Ram Vilas Paswan, was initially strongly opposed to aligning with the BJP before the 2014 general elections. Chirag recounted how his father had said, “I will poison myself than go with the BJP,” reflecting his deep resistance at the time. Despite this, Ram Vilas Paswan eventually rejoined the BJP-led NDA, marking a significant political shift after previously distancing himself following the 2002 Gujarat riots during Narendra Modi’s tenure as chief minister.
Chirag also highlighted the difficulties they faced in trying to engage with the Congress leadership during that period, stating that they were unable to meet Rahul Gandhi for over three months despite multiple attempts. While they did meet Sonia Gandhi several times, a meeting with Rahul Gandhi never materialized. This lack of engagement reportedly contributed to Ram Vilas Paswan’s decision to join the BJP-led alliance, despite his initial reservations. Chirag acknowledged that after his father’s adamant stance against the BJP, he himself hesitated to press the issue further, but circumstances ultimately paved the way for the alliance.
As Chirag Paswan prepares to contest the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, he has declared his ambition to be a key player in the state’s political landscape. He announced plans to contest all 243 seats, signaling a vigorous campaign, though it remains unclear if this refers to fielding candidates from his Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas) or a broader political strategy. Despite previous tensions with the BJP—especially after the party’s role in splitting his family’s political base—Chirag has reiterated his loyalty to the BJP/NDA alliance. He emphasized the need for youth to focus on progress rather than caste identity, signaling his intent to broaden his political appeal beyond traditional caste-based support.
