CM Bhajan Lal Pays Tribute to Ram Vilas Paswan on Birth Anniversary
Synopsis
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma paid tribute to late LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan on his birth anniversary on 5 July 2026, calling his life dedicated to public service, social harmony, and empowerment of weaker sections 'a source of inspiration for all.'
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma posted a tribute to Ram Vilas Paswan on his birth anniversary, 5 July 2026 .
Ram Vilas Paswan was the founder of the Lok Janshakti Party , established in 2000 , and a long-serving Union Minister.
Paswan was honoured with the Padma Bhushan , India's third-highest civilian award, for his contributions to public affairs and social service.
Sharma highlighted Paswan's commitment to social harmony , public service, and empowerment of weaker sections of society.
BJP -led state governments routinely mark 5 July with tributes, reflecting political outreach to Dalit voters and NDA coalition allies.
Paswan served as Union Minister in both the Vajpayee and Modi governments before his death in October 2020 .
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Sunday, 5 July 2026, paid tribute to late veteran politician and Lok Janshakti Party founder Ram Vilas Paswan on his birth anniversary, honouring his legacy of social service and empowerment of marginalised communities.
Context
Sharma's post, written in Hindi, offered a 'humble tribute' (विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि) to Paswan, describing his life as 'a source of inspiration for all of us' in the areas of public service, social harmony, and empowerment of weaker sections of society. The Chief Minister noted Paswan's distinction as a former Union Minister, founder of the Lok Janshakti Party, and recipient of the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour.
Paswan, who passed away in October 2020, was one of independent India's most prominent Dalit political leaders and a long-serving parliamentarian from Bihar.
Policy Backdrop
Ram Vilas Paswan founded the Lok Janshakti Party in 2000 after parting ways with the Janata Dal, with a stated focus on social justice and the rights of Scheduled Castes and other marginalised groups. He subsequently joined the National Democratic Alliance in 2002 and served as a Union Minister in both the Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi governments, holding portfolios including Railways, Consumer Affairs, and Telecommunications.
His political career spanned several decades and multiple party alignments, yet his identity as a champion of Dalit rights and weaker sections remained a consistent thread throughout.
Stakeholders and Impact
BJP-led state governments, including Rajasthan, have made it a regular practice to mark 5 July — Paswan's birth anniversary — with formal tributes. This reflects a sustained political outreach to Dalit voters and an effort to maintain goodwill with factions of the Lok Janshakti Party, now led by Paswan's son Chirag Paswan, a key NDA ally.
Such gestures carry significance beyond ceremony, signalling the BJP's continued commitment to coalition partners representing marginalised communities and reinforcing its outreach to Scheduled Caste constituencies across states.
What's Next
Tributes from other NDA leaders and state governments are expected through the day, with the Chirag Paswan-led LJP (Ram Vilas) likely to organise commemorative events. The anniversary comes at a politically significant time, with welfare schemes targeting SC communities and broader coalition dynamics remaining central to national politics. How the BJP and its allies translate these symbolic gestures into policy actions for Dalit empowerment will continue to be closely watched by civil society and political observers alike.
Point of View
Sharma signals alignment with the NDA's inclusive coalition messaging ahead of any electoral cycle. The tribute also reinforces the BJP's relationship with the Chirag Paswan-led LJP, a critical NDA ally whose base among Scheduled Caste communities in Bihar and beyond remains electorally significant. Such anniversaries function as low-cost, high-visibility moments for state leaders to demonstrate ideological solidarity with the broader NDA family.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ram Vilas Paswan remembered on 5 July?
5 July is the birth anniversary of Ram Vilas Paswan , the veteran Dalit leader, Lok Janshakti Party founder, and former Union Minister who passed away in October 2020. Political leaders across parties mark the day with tributes to honour his legacy.
Who was Ram Vilas Paswan?
Ram Vilas Paswan was a veteran Bihar politician and prominent Dalit leader who founded the Lok Janshakti Party in 2000. He served as Union Minister in multiple governments, including those led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi , and was awarded the Padma Bhushan .
What did Bhajan Lal Sharma say about Ram Vilas Paswan?
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma called Paswan's life 'a source of inspiration for all,' highlighting his dedication to public service, social harmony, and empowerment of weaker sections of society.
What is the Lok Janshakti Party?
The Lok Janshakti Party was founded by Ram Vilas Paswan in 2000 with a focus on social justice and rights of Scheduled Castes and marginalised groups. It is currently led by his son Chirag Paswan and is an ally of the NDA .
What is the Padma Bhushan awarded to Ram Vilas Paswan for?
Ram Vilas Paswan was conferred the Padma Bhushan , India's third-highest civilian honour, for his contributions to public affairs and social service over a decades-long political career.
