Bihar Politics: The politics has taken a new turn amidst the stir of the assembly elections in Bihar. Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) President Chirag Paswan has created a stir in political circles by making a shocking statement at ‘Bahujan Bhim Sankalp Samagam’ held in Rajgir in Nalanda district on Sunday. Till now, Chirag Paswan, who is claiming to contest the elections himself, suddenly made a change in his stand and made it clear that he would not contest from Bihar. Instead, they will field candidates under the alliance.
Chirag said ‘I will contest elections for Bihar not from Bihar’
Addressing the rally, Chirag Paswan said, Leaders of the opposition are afraid of me, ask if Chirag will contest from Bihar? I am neither afraid nor bent. I will contest elections not from Bihar, but for Bihar. He also said that he will field candidates under alliance in all 243 assembly seats across the state.
This statement has surprised political pundits, as Chirag had indicated some time ago that he himself would enter the electoral fray, which increased the concern of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Now that Chirag has talked about retreating himself, it is being considered a strategic U-turn.
Tejashwi Yadav attack
In his address, Chirag also took a dig at Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav. He said that “The people of Bihar are now plagued by such leaders who only make promises, not development.” Chirag, while discussing his ‘Bihar First, Bihari First’ vision, said that his party will contest elections on this agenda.
What is the reason for Nitish?
The discussion in the political corridors is also intensified that the decision came out only after the meeting between Chirag Paswan and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during the recent Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s program. It is believed that Chirag must have been advised to stay away from elections to maintain balance in the NDA. The LJP (Ram Vilas) status in the NDA itself could have strengthened by landing in the field itself, which led to the increase in tension in the alliance.
Impact on political equations
With this U-turn of Chirag Paswan, new equations are seen forming in Bihar politics. It will be interesting to see which seats they field and how much stake they get in the alliance. At present, his decision has given a new direction to the election discussion.
Before the Bihar elections, this major decision of Chirag Paswan pointed to the balance of alliance, on the one hand, it also makes it clear that he is busy in creating a strategy from behind the curtain. Now the eye is on what will be their next political move.