PATNA, BIHAR: Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan asserted that his party is not only part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) but has also reached an agreement with the top brass of the BJP regarding the alliance’s strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024 and the Bihar assembly elections in 2025.
This statement comes in the wake of his estranged uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras’ comments, who, despite Chirag’s attendance at the NDA meeting, stated that he is technically not part of the alliance.
Chirag Paswan revealed that the BJP has maintained constant communication with the LJP, and Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, has met with them multiple times, respecting their concerns.
Moreover, Chirag himself had meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda, during which they not only acknowledged their concerns but also outlined the alliance’s plan for the upcoming elections.
“The BJP was in constant touch with our party. MoS Nityanand Rai met us several times, and he respected our concerns. I then met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda. They listened to our concerns. We also prepared an outline of our alliance for the 2024 and 2025 elections,” Paswan added.
He emphasised that despite their fallout with the NDA, the LJP did not join any other political alliance.
Regarding the electoral prospects, Paswan expressed confidence that the NDA would surpass its previous impressive tally of 39 out of 40 seats in Bihar during the 2019 general elections.
He claimed that there is growing discontent among the people against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and this sentiment would work in the NDA’s favour.
However, the rift between Paswan and his uncle, Pashupati Kumar Paras, has been an ongoing issue. They have clashed over the Hajipur Lok Sabha seat, previously represented by Chirag’s father and LJP founder, late Ram Vilas Paswan.
Paras, the current MP from Hajipur, has repeatedly denied Chirag’s claims that he would contest from there instead of Jamui, which he currently represents.
In an attempt to mend the situation, the BJP has reportedly been eager for the uncle-nephew duo to reconcile and merge their parties. Despite Paras holding five out of the LJP’s six MPs, the BJP has recognised Chirag Paswan’s potential for consolidating Dalit votes, especially after his recent state-wide tour.
When questioned about the possibility of a merger after a visit from Nityanand Rai, Pashupati Paras expressed irritation and questioned Rai’s authority within the BJP.
“Nityanand Rai ke kahne se kya hoga? Nityanand Raiji BJP ke authentic member nahin na hain (who is Nityanand Rai to ask? He is not an authentic member of the BJP),” Paras said.
On the other hand, Paswan has placed the responsibility of reconciliation on his uncle, mentioning that the decision to split after his father’s death was Paras and it is now up to him to decide whether the family will unite again.
At the recent NDA meeting, Paswan made a gesture of goodwill, touching his uncle’s feet, and received a warm hug in return. However, Paras dismissed any reconciliation rumours, stating that while alliances may break and reunite, broken hearts cannot be mended.