Will Chirag Paswan Support Nitish Kumar as CM Candidate for Bihar Polls?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Chirag Paswan endorses Nitish Kumar for Chief Minister ahead of Bihar polls.
- The meeting indicates a strategic alliance within the NDA.
- Seat-sharing arrangements are crucial for electoral success.
- The LJP (Ram Vilas) anticipates a larger seat allocation.
- Unity between the leaders is essential for navigating electoral challenges.
Patna, May 19 (NationPress) In a significant political maneuver ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, Chirag Paswan, national president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Union Minister, met with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at his official residence in Patna on Monday.
The meeting, which extended for more than an hour, is believed to have concentrated on crucial topics such as seat-sharing arrangements and a broader coalition strategy within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar.
Insiders suggest that the LJP (Ram Vilas) is poised to secure a more substantial portion of seats this time around. Nevertheless, both the LJP (Ram Vilas) and the Janata Dal (United) have remained tight-lipped on this issue.
Following his meeting with CM Nitish Kumar, Chirag Paswan headed to Darbhanga, where he expressed unwavering support for Nitish Kumar's leadership.
“We will contest the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, who will continue as Chief Minister. There is no vacancy for the CM post in Bihar. Under PM Modi and CM Nitish Kumar, the state is making rapid progress,” he affirmed.
This meeting marks a renewed phase of alliance politics between the two leaders. In the 2020 Assembly elections, Chirag’s strategy of fielding LJP candidates against JD(U) nominees had significantly impacted Nitish Kumar’s party.
However, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw a revival of unity, with both leaders showcasing solidarity under the NDA banner. The LJP (Ram Vilas) clinched five parliamentary seats, including the esteemed Hajipur constituency — a result interpreted as enhancing Nitish Kumar’s stature within the alliance.
Political analysts interpret Monday’s gathering as a move to formalize and strengthen this newfound collaboration ahead of the pivotal Assembly elections later this year.
The NDA, which includes the BJP, JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), now faces the intricate task of allocating Bihar’s 243 Assembly seats among its partners.
While JD(U) and BJP, as the dominant forces, are anticipated to claim the majority of seats, Chirag Paswan has made it clear that his party expects a “respectable and fair” arrangement, referencing its performance in the Lok Sabha.