Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan on Thursday, June 11, 2026, congratulated Ashraf Ansari on being elected unopposed to the Bihar Legislative Council in the Bihar Vidhan Parishad Biennial Election 2026, describing the victory as a recognition of Ansari's long-standing social and political contributions.

Context

Posting in Hindi on X, Chirag Paswan — national president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) — extended warm congratulations to Ansari, writing: 'बिहार विधान परिषद द्विवार्षिक चुनाव- 2026 में निर्विरोध निर्वाचित होने पर जनाब अशरफ अंसारी जी को हार्दिक बधाई एवं शुभकामनाएं' ('Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Ashraf Ansari ji on being elected unopposed in the Bihar Legislative Council Biennial Election 2026'). Paswan framed the unopposed return as a testament to Ansari's 'dedication towards the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and his continuous contribution in strengthening the organisation.'

Paswan further stated that the unopposed election is 'not only an acceptance of your long social and political contribution, but also an honour of your loyalty towards inclusive politics and public service.' He expressed confidence that Ansari would 'raise the aspirations of the public, the expectations of the deprived sections, and issues related to development with full strength in the Bihar Legislative Council.'

Policy Backdrop

The Bihar Legislative Council is the upper house of the Bihar legislature, comprising 75 members whose one-third are elected biennially by sitting MLAs for six-year terms. Unopposed returns to the Council have historically signalled pre-arranged consensus among National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners in Bihar, designed to avoid contested elections and preserve coalition cohesion.

The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) emerged from the split of the original LJP following the death of its founder, Ram Vilas Paswan, in 2020. By 2021, the party formally divided, with Chirag Paswan retaining the LJP(RV) name and electoral symbol. The party has since remained within the NDA, anchoring its political identity around Dalit and Extremely Backward Class (EBC) representation in Bihar.

Stakeholders and Impact

Ansari's entry into the Bihar Legislative Council adds an LJP(RV) voice to Bihar's upper house at a politically significant moment. The party has been working to consolidate its organisational footprint ahead of future electoral cycles, and securing upper-house representation is a key part of that effort.

For LJP(RV) cadres, the unopposed win carries symbolic weight — it suggests that Ansari commands cross-party respect or that NDA seat-sharing arrangements have held firm. Paswan's public congratulations also reinforce the party's emphasis on inclusive politics, particularly for marginalised and minority communities.

What's Next

With Ansari now set to join the Bihar Legislative Council, attention will turn to how LJP(RV) leverages its upper-house presence to amplify issues around social equity and development in Bihar. The party's performance in coalition negotiations and its ability to maintain NDA unity will be closely watched as Bihar's political calendar progresses. Any further seat-sharing discussions within the NDA for upcoming elections are expected to be shaped, in part, by the strength of individual party organisations — making organisational wins like this one consequential beyond the ceremonial.