NDC DESK
SARAN, BIHAR:
Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan announced on Sunday that he will contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, setting the stage for a high-stakes political battle. Addressing a rally in Saran, Paswan urged his party workers to gear up for all 243 seats, reaffirming the LJP(R)’s alliance with the BJP and JD(U) under the NDA banner.
Paswan, who currently represents Hajipur in the Lok Sabha, took direct aim at the opposition Mahagathbandhan—comprising the RJD and Congress—accusing them of undermining the Constitution and threatening reservations for underprivileged castes.
“I swear on my father Ram Vilas Paswan’s name—no one can touch reservations or the Constitution as long as I live,” he declared.
The Congress and RJD, part of the INDIA bloc, have long alleged that the NDA intends to alter the Constitution and end caste-based reservations. Hitting back, Paswan reminded the crowd of Congress’s Emergency-era actions, including the controversial amendment to the Preamble.
In a notable shift, Paswan also took a veiled swipe at his own alliance partner, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), over rising crime in the state. Referring to the recent murder of Patna businessman Gopal Khemka, Paswan questioned the government’s claim of “sushaasan” (good governance).
“The law and order situation is deteriorating. Even I am concerned, as the government I support must ensure safety for all,” he said.
Khemka was gunned down last week in Patna, echoing the 2018 murder of his son, BJP leader Gunjan Khemka.
The Bihar Assembly polls are expected in October or November. Seat-sharing talks within both the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan are still underway.
