Chirag Paswan, who has repeatedly called himself the Hanuman of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seems to be in a distinct mode. Recently, he opposed various issues, such as the lateral entry and sub-quota within the reservation, challenging the NDA's stance. He boldly stated that he could kick away his ministerial post in a minute, echoing the actions of his father, who did the same. While attending a program for the SC-ST front at Patna’s SK Memorial Hall, he voiced, "Whichever alliance I may belong to, on the very day I feel the Constitution and reservation are being tampered with, I will immediately relinquish my ministerial post, just like my father did in a minute."
From early on in Modi Government 3.0, Chirag Paswan has displayed assertive stances. His party distanced itself from the NDA on multiple matters. Recently, Chirag commended Rahul Gandhi as a visionary leader.
Sub-Quota Decision:
At the start of August, Chirag opposed the Supreme Court's ruling on sub-quota. Jeetan Ram Manjhi and other leaders from the Hindustani Awam Morcha, an NDA ally, supported the decision.
Lateral Entry:
A UPSC advertisement for lateral entry into 45 senior positions in the central government triggered Chirag's outright disapproval, prompting the government to request the cancellation of the advertisement.
Bharat Bandh:
Chirag supported the Bharat Bandh orchestrated by opposition parties opposing the sub-quota decision. He emphasized that socio-economic disparity, not untouchability, should be the focus of SC-ST reservations.
Caste Census:
During a national conference in Ranchi, Chirag advocated for a caste census, stressing its necessity for tailored policy-making by both state and central governments.
The Waqf Bill: Chirag's party noted confusion among Muslims regarding the Waqf Bill and suggested it be reviewed by a parliamentary committee.
Chirag Paswan's new statement links to both the Bihar elections and his unease in the NDA. According to senior journalist Omprakash Ashk, Chirag is discontent in the NDA due to two main reasons: his desire to follow an independent party line conflicting with NDA’s direction and the lack of significant gains from the alliance in Bihar. Chirag's focus remains on Bihar politics despite holding a central ministerial role.
If Chirag is ready to abandon the ministerial position in a moment, it reflects ongoing shifts in Bihar politics post-Nitish Kumar. Even though strategist Prashant Kishor denies leadership intentions, the prospect of becoming CM remains for hopefuls like Chirag and RJD’s Tejaswi Yadav, who busies himself with organizational efforts for elections.
The lack of a robust successor for Nitish in JDU, coupled with Chirag’s quest for new electoral alliances by combining Dalit and Muslim votes, propels him to repeatedly diverge from the NDA, branding LJP(R) as a party for all.
Chirag's statement could also represent his dissatisfaction within the NDA, driven by several factors. He aims to expand LJP(R) beyond Bihar, citing interest in regions like Nagaland and Jharkhand, pointing to its strong presence in 40 assembly seats. Twisting the fabrics of political atmosphere, Chirag's discontent primarily springs from three reasons:
1-
Jharkhand Elections
Chirag has long been prepping for Jharkhand elections, leading LJP(R)’s efforts and organizing rallies like in Dhanbad. Despite chirping about contesting under the NDA banner, the alliance form unveiled by BJP co-lead Himanta Biswa Sarma surprisingly dismissed LJP(R). Himanta recently hinted BJP will partner only with JD(U) and AJSU, leaving LJP(R) out of the equation.
2-
Pashupati Paras Chapter
Chirag's divergence on issues like creamy layer reservation and lateral entry detached his party from NDA favor, while Paras leveraged this to redevelop ties with BJP, meeting leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah. Sudden affection for Paras from BJP frustrates Chirag, provoking jabs at family gatherings.
Also Read: Will BJP elevate Paras to counter Chirag? A potential governorship role for Paras looms.
“There are people driven by a mentality to break Chirag Paswan,” he expressed, underscoring his indomitable spirit, declaring he is the lion’s cub and will never bow before anyone.
3-
Bihar Elections
Post-meeting with BJP seniors, Paras remarked the upcoming assembly elections won’t mirror the last Lok Sabha polls, hinting at a strategic shift opposing Chirag’s camp and potentially minimizing their ticket allotment. This undercurrent adds to Chirag's agitation.
Read Also: 'I had the audacity to contest solo', unfolds Union Minister Chirag Paswan.
Taking a standalone stance in the 2020 elections against JD(U) fortified Chirag's narrative. His party fielded candidates in 134 seats, succeeding in affecting the JD(U)’s vote margins significantly, confirming its disruptive potential.
Chirag’s strategic detachment from the NDA could be an attempt to retain all political avenues open. If the Bihar elections result in a hung assembly, evolving as a kingmaker allows for bargaining to the throne. His party resonates with the ‘Bihar First, Bihari First’ ethos, making his political stage Bihar-centric. His electoral clout in Bihar is pivotal for LJP(R)’s success in national polls.
