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Hindustan Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Interview: I am not positioning myself as future CM, says Chirag Paswan
Union cabinet minister and LJP (RV) chief Chirag Paswan took everyone by surprise by his recent announcement that he wished to contest the Bihar assembly elections later this year. For the first time, his Lok Janshakti Party will contest in a pre-poll alliance with the ruling Janata Dal United (JDU). While Paswan's party has no presence in the current assembly, his party won all five seats it contested in last year's general elections. The 42-year-old son of LJP founder and former minister, the late Ram Vilas Paswan, has not been afraid to chart his own path, sometimes voicing opinions that may be different that of his alliance partner BJP. He spoke to HT about the reason he wants to contest, the Waqf law, and the proposal to amend the preamble to the constitution. LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan spoke to HT about the reason he wants to contest, the Waqf law, and the proposal to amend the preamble to the constitution. (PTI) You dropped a bombshell by saying that you are going to contest. What did the Prime Minister and Amit Shah say in response to this? I have not spoken to them yet. I have expressed my wish that I want to go back to my state because this is my third term as a member of Parliament and over the past 11 years, I have realised that the kind of vision that I have for my state -- Bihar first, Bihari first-- is not possible (to achieve) living in Delhi. Also we have seen these experiments by the BJP, where they have fielded their MPs and even their central ministers for state elections, which really benefitted them. So, I have asked for a survey to analyse whether me contesting is beneficial for the party and for the alliance. What do you have to say to those people who say this is basically setting up Chirag Paswan to become a future CM candidate? To be very honest, I'm not. This is just not my agenda. I'm not looking for any post or positioning myself as a future CM. There is absolutely no vacancy in 2025. My current chief minister (Nitish Kumar), under his leadership, we're going to enter the elections and we will be having a historic win this time. So there's no vacancy this time. And even for the future But Deputy CM? No, no, no, no, no, no. I mean a) I'm not aiming for any post and b) I'll never be open to be a Deputy Chief Minister. Why? I mean, there are a lot of people in my party, in my state, whom I want to give this responsibility to. If there's such a circumstance coming up, they will be the one who will be taking over. The Bihar election 2020 was all about you against the current chief minister. You have made up with him? I'll not shy away from the fact there were a lot of differences between me and my chief minister, which were resolved before I got back into the alliance. In a way, I felt cornered in that alliance immediately after the (2019) Lok Sabha election. I felt that I was ignored. Also, that was the time when my father was not very well. And I do understand that at that time they must have thought that I was not that important. When I felt that I didn't have any say, if I had any issues or any concerns, the only platform I had at that time was a public platform or media. And that's the reason the differences between me and the CM were highlighted. But now I get that space. Not that I don't have concerns and issues now; of course I do have. But then I get that space within the alliance and they do get addressed as well. Was it awkward making up? No, not really. I think we are heading different parties and, if you are a different party, you have different ideologies. So, he (Kumar) knew, there are political compulsions. The Bharatiya Janata Party worked as a beautiful catalyst between the two of us. Naddaji (BJP chief and Union minister J P Nadda) played a very, very important role. I remember when my Chief Minister came back to the alliance (in 2024) and we were going to Bihar for his oath-taking ceremony in his chartered plane, we spoke a lot and he assured me that all my concerns and issues will be addressed. And in due course of time, it was done as well Recently, the Election Commission announced a special intensive revision of the electoral roll in Bihar. And it has caused a lot of controversy. I think this is one issue which has just been blown out of proportion. This process takes place on a regular basis. And you have to do this.I think India is one of those countries where the political parties and leaders are absolutely okay with having people living in their country without even knowing whether they are the actual citizens of your country or not. They are okay with having ghoospathiyas (infiltrators) in our country. Opposition is trying to establish this narrative that documents are needed, but you are given endless options to provide documentation. You are saying it is okay to do a citizenship drive months before elections? This is July, yes, we have time in hand. What is going to be the biggest issue of Bihar elections? I would love to have issues concerning unemployment, development, better infrastructure development. These are the topics that need to be addressed, discussed. Because I want to tell the people of my state how Bihar was in the 90s, during their tenure. Because right now what is happening is that my Chief Minister has been in the state for almost two decades now and the instant comparison that the first-time voters do, is with different states. They look at Delhi, Mumbai,and say it is so developed, why not Bihar? Because they don't know how Bihar was. I have seen that era . But then the problem is that when elections come, these narratives, ECI, Waqf Board emerge and election centres around communalism and casteism. Are you concerned about the Waqf Law? I am concerned. I was concerned. It is the reason why mine was one of those parties which very strongly asked the government that the bill be sent to a standing committee. I am happy that my Prime Minister took this decision to form a joint parliamentary committee. I wanted that all the stakeholders should get this opportunity to voice their opinions . I gave a lot of them, many of them were accepted too. See, anybody who goes through the amendments that have been made in Waqf law will understand that this is absolutely pro-poor Muslims. This is not a matter of dharam (faith), this is a matter of administration. Will the issue have an impact? I don't think so because I think any Muslim who is educated, comes from a poor background, understands that it is for his good. So, a handful of them think that they are losing control of the Waqf, they are the only ones who are panicking right now. Some of your cabinet colleagues have said the words inserted in the preamble in 1976, socialist and secular should be taken out. Where do you stand? To begin with, I come from a party, I am the son of a leader who is always a voice for socialism, for secularism out loud. I am not debating over these two words. But, when you don't support Emergency, any decision that was taken during the Emergency, I don't support . So, I don't support any decision that was taken (at the time), whether it was of nasbandi(sterilisation), beautification of Delhi (demolition drive in Turkman Gate) where the whole colony was destroyed and all the Muslims were thrown out. This (the change in the preamble) was taken during that time. Now, my belief is in Dr. Babasaheb Bheem Rao Ambedkar. My leader, Ram Vilas Paswanji always believed and followed the ideology of Babasaheb. Do you really think that during a detailed discussion over the formulation of the constitution, this was not discussed ? Whether the words like secularism should be the part of the constitution or not? And that too, when that committee was headed by Babasaheb. So, I am not getting into the merits of the words. The whole process how it was done and when it was done -- during Emergency -- that is our concern
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
NDTV Exclusive - What Nitish Kumar Asked Chirag Paswan On Stage During PM Rally
New Delhi: At a rally in Bihar's Siwan earlier this month, several leaders were seen gathered on stage, waiting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrive. Amid this, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was seen deep in conversation with Union Minister Chirag Paswan. NDTV now knows what transpired between the two. Nitish Kumar asked Mr Paswan if he was going to contest the Bihar Assembly Elections, and if he was, then from where. In a conversation with NDTV, Mr Paswan said, "When the PM was about to come on the stage, we were standing together. Chief Minister Nitish (Kumar) was there, Lalan Singh ji was there, and other leaders were also present. He never asked not to contest the elections. When we were talking, he was also sharing his experience of how he worked at the centre, and then he came to the state." Chirag Paswan 's desire, which he revealed recently, to contest polls in his home state was not well received by the Chief Minister's party. "I definitely want to contest the elections, and I have said this everywhere. Whether I will contest the elections or not will be decided by my party. The party itself will deliberate on whether the party will benefit from me contesting the elections," he said. The 42-year-old said that Nitish Kumar also asked him about his wish to contest the assembly elections - likely in November - even as he was already a Union Minister. Nitish Kumar also said that in the coming days, Mr Paswan was going to have a big role in Bihar politics. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president told Nitish Kumar that he would contest the assembly elections only if the party and the people of Bihar wanted him to. He also said that if that happens, he would come to seek the blessings of the Chief Minister of Bihar. The conversation can be read in many ways - 1st, Nitish Kumar's party JD(U) was unable to understand why Chirag Paswan wants to contest the upcoming elections - could it spoil their poll calculation? There's also another speculation that Mr Paswan was playing the politics of pressure in the NDA so that he could get more seats. However, the Hajipur MP has insisted that he wasn't concerned about the number of seats, and he only wants winnable seats. Mr Kumar's question for Mr Paswan is evidence of sorts that Chirag Paswan remains a puzzle for the JDU. Especially, since he has been saying that he wanted to contest the Bihar assembly elections, but hasn't even revealed his cards and has been putting the onus on the party. This will also be the first assembly election when Mr Paswan and his party will seek votes for Nitish Kumar. The LJP leader is part of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition that runs the federal government. His party has five Lok Sabha MPs. In the last election, Chirag Paswan fought alone and ruined the poll plan of the JDU. In the last election, Nitish Kumar's JDU and Lalu Prasad's RJD fought the polls together. Mr Paswan was a BJP ally at that time, too. But this time around, he would have to convince the voters to vote for Nitish Kumar. In the Lok Sabha polls, Mr Paswan sought votes in the name of PM Modi, but in the Bihar assembly polls, he will have to seek votes in the name of the Chief Minister. On a surface level, what seems like a non-issue could translate into a problem. Mr Paswan has been vocal about the policies of the Bihar government, especially on the issues of Dalits and law and order - issues that could inconvenience the JD(U).
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Will contest polls ‘for Bihar', says Chirag
1 2 Patna: Union minister Chirag Paswan on Sunday said he would contest the upcoming assembly elections "not in Bihar, but for Bihar," brushing aside what he described as attempts by jittery opponents to block his political path. Addressing a rally titled 'Bahujan Bhim Sankalp Samagam' at Rajgir in Nalanda, CM Nitish Kumar 's home district, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president appealed to the public to remain vigilant against what he called a "false narrative" being peddled by the opposition INDIA bloc. Paswan accused the alliance of misleading the public by claiming the Constitution and reservation would be in danger if PM Narendra Modi returned to power. "They tried the same scare tactics in the Lok Sabha election, but people didn't believe them and stood with PM Modi," he said. Taking aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Union food processing minister said, "These days, Rahul roams around waving the red book of the Constitution. But when will he apologise for the Emergency imposed by his grandmother Indira Gandhi, which was the real murder of the Constitution?" He added that those supporting the INDIA bloc were once victims of the Emergency. "Back then, some of them went to jail under Indira Gandhi's regime. Today they are aligning with the same Congress party. Jayaprakash ji gave the slogan of Sampoorna Kranti to overthrow the Congress. Lalu was with him then. Now he stands with the Congress that insulted JP," Paswan said. The Hajipur MP also hit out at RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, mocking his promise to bring change in 20 months if elected. "He should first return the land he got in exchange for jobs during his father Lalu Prasad's tenure as railway minister," he said. Paswan recalled his 2020 slogan 'Bihar First, Bihari First' and said it had caused discomfort to many back then. "Now that I'm returning to Bihar, their discomfort has only grown. Every drop of my blood is for Bihar. As long as Chirag Paswan is alive, there is no threat to the Constitution or to reservation," he said, urging voters to re-elect the NDA in Bihar.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
14 kg ganja seized from factory worker
Rajkot: Acting on a tip-off, the Rajkot Special Operations Group (SOG) caught a 34-year-old man, Abhijeet Kumar Paswan, with 12.751 kg of ganja worth Rs 1.32 lakh near the national highway on Saturday. Originally a native of Bihar, Paswan had been working as a labourer at a factory in Shapar-Veraval. He was caught near the service road of NH27 in the Madhuram Industries area. A case has been registered against him under the NDPS Act at Thorala Police Station. SOG police inspector Sanjaysinh Jadeja said that the team got information that a person was moving around suspiciously in the area. He was intercepted and searched, leading to the recovery of the ganja.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
At Nitish's turf, Chirag says Opposition leaders fear his arrival in Bihar
Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan on Sunday (June 29, 2025) pledged to transform Bihar while addressing an impressive crowd at the 'Bahujan Bhim Sankalp Samagam' held in Nalanda's Rajgir, the home district of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. It was Mr. Paswan first public rally after making a formal announcement in Ara three weeks ago that he would contest the upcoming Assembly election. Addressing the large crowd, the Hajipur MP said that such support reflected the people's resolve for social justice and equality. 'To transform and develop Bihar, all Biharis will have to become Chirag Paswan with me. I will contest all 243 seats in Bihar, and wherever there are alliance partners, I will fight as Chirag Paswan so that Bihar becomes the number one State and Biharis too become number ones,' Mr. Paswan said. Also Read | Chirag Paswan: From Parliament to Patna Attacking the Opposition, Mr. Paswan said that since he speaks about the development of Bihar and the education of the youth, the Opposition leaders in Bihar fear his arrival in State politics. 'The family of Lalu Prasad once gave jobs but took away the land of the poor, backward, and Bahujans. Tejashwi Yadav ji is talking about giving jobs again, so tell us, what will they take away this time in return? But I have come to fight selflessly for Bihar and Biharis. I stand as a shield to protect the rights of Bahujans. Today the whole of Bihar is unitedly saying 'Bihar First-Bihari First',' Mr. Paswan said. He pointed out that his father and Dalit leader Ram Vilas Paswan had brought honour to Babasaheb B. R. Ambedkar. He added that Dr. Ambedkar is a God of the Bahujans and his party has always fought and will continue to fight for the rights and respect of the Bahujans. Also Read | People of Bihar will decide from which seat I should contest Assembly polls: Chirag Paswan He urged the people not to fall for the false narrative of the Opposition that the BJP was trying to end reservation in the country, which was raised during the Lok Sabha election. Further attacking the Opposition, he said as long as 'Chirag Paswan is alive, there will be no threat to reservation'. 'The Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition may exert as much force as they want, but they won't be able to divert me from my resolve of 'Bihar First, Bihari First' as long as you all stand firmly with me,' Mr. Paswan told the crowd. Taking a dig at the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Mr. Paswan said when he announced he wanted to return to Bihar, it increased the anxiety of the same people who, in the nineties, forced millions of Biharis to migrate. Analysis | Ahead of polls, all eyes in Bihar on Chirag Paswan's next political move Incidentally, when Mr. Paswan had announced that he would contest the Assembly election, Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Mr. Yadav, had asked him to clarify if he wanted to become the Chief Minister. Through the rally, Mr. Paswan gave a clear indication that he was looking to expand his voter base and did not want to restrict himself to votes of the Paswan community, which accounts for nearly 5.33% of the State population. Overall, Scheduled Castes constitute 19.65% of the State's population, as per the latest caste survey. 'Until I make Bihar a developed State, I will neither rest nor tire. This is not just a promise, it is my resolve. Be it children or the elderly, women or youth, people from every section will be united under Chirag's leadership to empower the resounding voice of the Bahujan movement. This is not just a gathering, but a resolve of Bahujan self-confidence and dedication,' Mr. Paswan said. Also Read | Caste enumeration is the need of the hour: Chirag Paswan He added, 'In the era of Indira Gandhi, the Constitution was murdered and Emergency was imposed. Today, the INDIA bloc, sitting on the lap of that same Congress, is championing democracy!' Mr. Paswan urged the people to ask RJD leaders why they supported the Congress now after going to jail for opposing the Emergency. 'People should further question those leaders, who themselves suffered during the Emergency, why have had forgotten everything in their greed for power,' he said.
