Chirag Paswan: Nitish Kumar to be CM if NDA wins Bihar.
Union Minister, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president, Chirag Paswan, has come out categorically saying that Nitish Kumar would be returning to the post of Chief Minister in case the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) wins the elections.
Chirag Paswan Backs Nitish As CM If NDA Wins Bihar
Barely a few days before the important Bihar Assembly elections, Union Minister, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president, Chirag Paswan, has come out categorically saying that Nitish Kumar would be returning to the post of Chief Minister in case the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) wins the elections. Making an impression as a strong man in the Bihar politics, Paswan has at the same time also ruled out any personal interest in getting the Deputy Chief Minister position and has insisted on adherence to principles and the good of the state of Bihar instead of the self.
This claim by Chirag Paswan is a big blow especially since the historical intricacies of his relationship with Nitish Kumar. Paswan had even entered the 2020 Assembly elections on an anti-Nitish ticket, as a so-called Nitish-mukt Bihar (Nitish-free Bihar) candidate and a huge blow to the JD(U) seat tally, though he still supported the BJP. It is a significant change now that he made a declaration, which appears to be the first unification effort in NDA, at least in the most important question of chief ministerial leadership.
The statement made by Paswan highlights about how NDA will have an image of a united leadership during the coming elections. The alliance in supporting Nitish Kumar tries to take advantage of the long experience the veteran leader has and his well-established administrative record, at the same time trying to inject new life and appeal with the new young faces like Paswan. The NDA is holding this delicate balance because it is facing a revived Mahagathbandhan that is on the look to take advantage of any possibility of perceived indifferences within the ruling coalition, with the Tejashwi Yadav led RJD at the helm.
The move by Ram Vilas led chief of LJP to avoid peeping on the Deputy CM seat is also well calculated. It enables him to project himself as a leader dedicated to larger interests of Bihar and devoid of trappings of power. Paswan has emphasised on his vision of Bihar First, Bihari First countless times showing that he wants to actively take part in the state affairs as well as the development of it.
Though he is currently a union minister, he has expressed interest in running in the next assembly polls himself, indicating a stronger focus on grassroots politics in Bihar, and it could allow other deserving members of his party to have prominent positions, if the NDA forms the government.
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An overview of the political situation in Bihar reveals that caste equations and the popularity of individual leaders often shape political dynamics. Nitish Kumar remains a major player, and although age may be creeping up on him, his leadership effectively offers the NDA a degree of stability and also has a wider appeal. Chirag Paswan represents also a younger and more vocal generation of leaders and remains particularly popular with Dalit voters. Chirag Paswan’s re-alignment with Nitish Kumar, and his public positions about the Chief Minister’s role shows his willingness to build and maintain a broader NDA support base, as well as present a strong and united front alternative to the opposition.
While many of the state’s political figures and their constituencies continue to engage in pre-election discussions, I expect the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar in the next few months to be a fierce contest. This will likely be created by Chirag Paswan’s public declarations regarding Nitish Kumar’s leadership and Chirag Paswan’s own lack of desire for the deputy position, and shaping the narrative of the NDA campaign for these elections to present a solid choice for the electorate about a strong and united front. From what I understand about his motivations for joining the NDA, we should expect a continuation of young Paswan’s vocal candidate approach to politics, particularly through the lens of engaging with the state’s Dalit voters, during the campaign for these Assembly elections.
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