There is a growing feud within the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) over the Hajipur seat in Bihar, with party leader Chirag Paswan urging his mother, Reena Paswan, to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the constituency. The Hajipur seat holds emotional significance for Chirag, as it was held by his late father, Ram Vilas Paswan, for many years.
Chirag Paswan and his uncle, Union Minister Pashupati Paras, are at odds over the seat. Paras is currently the sitting MP from Hajipur and has expressed his desire to continue representing the constituency. However, Chirag believes that his mother should have the first claim on the seat after his father’s passing. He views Hajipur as his motherland and wants to continue his father’s legacy by taking care of the constituency.
Speaking about the seat-sharing arrangement within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), to which the LJP belongs, Chirag revealed that a final decision is yet to be made. He emphasized that his party would contest the Hajipur seat and hopes his mother will be the candidate.
The feud between Chirag Paswan and Pashupati Paras intensified after the latter split from the LJP earlier this year. Paras has asserted that he is content serving as a minister in the Nitish Kumar government and has suggested that either Chirag or his sister-in-law should contest from Hajipur. He claims that his late brother, Ram Vilas Paswan, considered him the political heir and not Chirag.
In response, Chirag has reiterated his party’s intention to field a candidate in Hajipur and quashed rumors about deserting his current constituency, Jamui. He expressed his commitment to Jamui, where he made his electoral debut in the 2014 general elections.
The political tussle over the Hajipur seat has yet to be resolved, with both Chirag Paswan and Pashupati Paras vying for their respective claims. As the NDA deliberates on seat allocation and candidate selection, uncertainty looms over the outcome. It remains to be seen how the party will navigate this internal conflict and maintain unity ahead of the upcoming elections.
In the realm of political maneuvering, it is not uncommon for family members to compete for seats and assert their claims based on emotional ties and legacies. The LJP’s internal feud over the Hajipur seat showcases the complexities and power struggles within political parties, even when they are part of a larger alliance. As the situation unfolds, the NDA will need to find a resolution that satisfies all parties involved and fortify their position for the upcoming elections.
