Chirag Paswan, the national president of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), may emerge as a crucial player for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming Bihar Lok Sabha elections in 2024. With the exit of one of their strongest allies, the Janata Dal (United), the BJP is actively seeking the support of other parties. Chirag Paswan, who once referred to himself as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s devoted follower, is set to return to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Paswan recently held a lengthy meeting with Nityanand Rai, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, and has been invited to attend the important NDA meeting on July 18. There are also rumors that he may be accommodated in the union cabinet. Paswan’s influence as a young and emerging leader in his community is on the rise, and he has proven to be a crowd-puller for the NDA, surpassing even the BJP’s Bihar leadership.
During a public event in Bihar earlier this year, a large crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of Chirag Paswan. This incident impressed Samrat Choudhary, the BJP state chief, who recognized Paswan’s ability to attract supporters. The BJP has realized the significance of smaller parties in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Bihar, especially after the JD(U) exited the alliance. Parties like Paswan’s LJP, Hindustani Awam Morcha, Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party, Vikasheel Insaan Party, and the RLJD all have followers from various communities in the state.
Chirag Paswan’s father, Ram Vilas Paswan, was known for his political acumen and his ability to gauge the sentiments of voters in every election. This helped the LJP maintain its alliance with the ruling party in the Centre. Chirag Paswan enjoys respect among Dalits and economically backward classes (EBC), making him a potential key player in Bihar politics.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the LJP contested six seats and won all of them under the leadership of Ram Vilas Paswan. However, after his father’s death, Chirag Paswan supported the BJP in the 2020 Assembly elections, straining his relations with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. This move led to a decline in seats for the JD(U) from 71 in 2015 to 43 in 2020. Although the BJP was accused of supporting Paswan and fielding rebel candidates, the LJP managed to secure 6% of the votes and inflict damage on the JD(U).
Caste plays a crucial role in Bihar politics, and Chirag Paswan has a strong hold over voters in areas like Hajipur (Vaishali), Jamui, Samastipur, and Lakhisarai. The Paswans, who constitute 6% of Bihar’s voters and 16% of the SC population, have been loyal supporters of the LJP. Chirag Paswan and his uncle have openly expressed their unwillingness to be part of any coalition that includes each other.
With the Bihar Lok Sabha elections posing a tough challenge for the BJP against the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (grand alliance), the party is realizing the importance of smaller parties like the LJP. Chirag Paswan’s popularity among his community and his crowd-pulling capabilities make him a potential trump card for the BJP in Bihar. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the inclusion of smaller parties like the LJP could play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the upcoming elections.
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