New Delhi/Patna | June 2, 2025
As Bihar gears up for its upcoming assembly elections, all eyes are once again on Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief and Union Minister Chirag Paswan, whose recent political maneuvers suggest a revival of the same aggressive strategy once adopted by his late father, Ram Vilas Paswan, two decades ago.
Chirag Paswan has hinted that his party may contest a significant number of seats independently in Bihar, a move that mirrors the bold gamble Ram Vilas Paswan took in the 2005 Bihar elections when he chose to distance himself from both the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led UPA. Back then, the elder Paswan aimed to become the kingmaker — a position that allowed him to influence the formation of government, even without securing a clear majority.
Fast forward to 2025, Chirag seems to be walking a similar path. While still a part of the BJP-led NDA at the Centre, his posture in Bihar indicates a desire for greater autonomy and prominence. Political observers believe that Chirag may be positioning himself as a pivotal player in the formation of the next state government by leveraging his party’s voter base, especially among Dalits and youth voters.
Chirag's relationship with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the JD(U) remains strained. During the 2020 assembly elections, Chirag ran a fierce campaign against Nitish while still aligning with the BJP. Though his party won only a few seats, it played a spoiler in several constituencies, indirectly impacting JD(U)’s performance.
Now, with JD(U) reeling from internal dissent and opposition parties consolidating, Chirag appears to be reasserting his political brand in Bihar. His recent statements — including subtle jabs at Nitish Kumar — have added fuel to speculation that he intends to contest the 2025 Bihar elections either on his own or with selective alliances that serve his interests.
The Bharatiya Janata Party finds itself in a delicate spot. While Chirag is seen as an important ally at the Centre, his confrontational stance towards JD(U) could jeopardize the cohesion of the NDA in Bihar. With the BJP trying to balance its equations with both JD(U) and LJP (Ram Vilas), Chirag’s independent streak may force a reevaluation of alliance dynamics ahead of the elections.
In many ways, Chirag’s strategy evokes nostalgia for Ram Vilas Paswan’s brand of politics — shrewd, assertive, and often unpredictable. Ram Vilas, known for always aligning with the winning side, was a master of coalition politics. Chirag, although newer to the game, is demonstrating similar instincts, perhaps hoping that history will repeat itself — with him at the helm.
As Bihar prepares for a high-stakes election battle in late 2025, Chirag Paswan is once again emerging as a wildcard — not to be underestimated. Whether he becomes a kingmaker like his father or faces political isolation will depend on how well he plays his cards in the coming months.
