Uncertainty has emerged within the Bihar NDA regarding Chirag Paswan. The JDU is not enthusiastic about the prospect of Chirag contesting the elections. JDU wants to know the rationale behind Chirag Paswan, who is a Union Cabinet Minister, contesting the assembly elections. Sources within JDU suggest that if Chirag Paswan decides to contest, it will be his decision, not that of the NDA.
JDU believes that Chirag’s move might be a strategy to pressure for more seats for his party during seat-sharing negotiations. However, JDU also feels that Chirag’s participation could create confusion regarding the Chief Minister’s post in Bihar, as the NDA has already clarified that the elections will be fought under Nitish Kumar’s leadership.
Furthermore, some BJP leaders believe that Chirag’s entry into the assembly elections would consolidate Paswan votes in favor of the NDA. Meanwhile, JDU is uneasy about Chirag Paswan’s plan to showcase strength in Nitish Kumar’s home district. Chirag Paswan plans to gather around two lakh people through the Bahujan Bhim Sankalp Sammagam in Rajgir on June 29.
JDU sources state that the allocation of seats to LJP within the NDA will be their decision regarding candidate selection. However, experts believe that Chirag’s decision to contest will only be effective if he sees himself in the race for Chief Minister after the elections. Given the possibility of his party receiving fewer than thirty seats, his ambition to become CM might not be fulfilled.
Moreover, there is no place for Chirag Paswan in the Mahagathbandhan because Tejashwi Yadav is already the CM face. Chirag is unlikely to get enough seats in the Mahagathbandhan to fulfill his CM ambitions. Additionally, concerns remain whether Chirag might switch sides later.
According to experts, Chirag Paswan’s only option is to contest elections on maximum seats by joining hands with Prashant Kishor, but there will be clashes over who the leader of the alliance will be. JDU leaders blamed Chirag for the party’s poor performance in the previous assembly elections. Therefore, JDU leaders are apprehensive about Chirag Paswan’s strategy. However, circumstances are different this time, as the Modi government at the center needs JDU, and the relationship between BJP and JDU is also very strong. Consequently, if Chirag distances himself from the NDA this time, it will be Chirag Paswan who will suffer the most.