Bihar Assembly elections 2025: Chirag Paswan strengthens footing in NDA with LJP(RV)’s strong showing

With the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leading on 19 of the 29 seats it contested, Chirag Paswan has consolidated his position within the National Democratic Alliance. Seventeen of these seats were previously held by the Mahagathbandhan in the 2020 elections, adding fresh gains to the ruling coalition and helping it cross the 200-seat mark.

LJP(RV) was formed in 2021 after Mr. Paswan’s uncle, Pashupati Nath Paras, engineered a split, taking four of the five Lok Sabha MPs less than a year after party founder Ram Vilas Paswan’s death. Even during Ram Vilas Paswan’s lifetime, the party struggled to secure a strong foothold in the Assembly. Its best performance came in February 2005, when it won 29 seats, though the outcome was short-lived, with indecision over which coalition to support leading to a second election later that year.

Ram Vilas Paswan and Nitish Kumar have had their share of differences. In 2007, during his first term, Mr. Kumar carved out the Mahadalit category to extend special assistance to the most marginalised Scheduled Castes. Of the 22 sub-castes, 21 were included, excluding the Paswan community, which created resentment and widened the rift.

Chirag Paswan continued his father’s anti-Nitish stance. In 2020, his campaign revolved around the slogan, “Modi se bair nahi, Nitish teri khair nahi”. He fielded 143 candidates, mostly against JD(U), but LJP won only one seat, and its lone MLA defected to JD(U) within months. JD(U) also suffered, slipping to 43 seats, behind the RJD and BJP.

The 2025 election marks the first time LJP and JD(U) contested on the same side. Given their fraught history, doubts persisted over their ability to work together. Both parties made visible efforts to mend ties. Chirag Paswan toned down criticism of the State government. Ahead of the campaign, he was considering contesting the Assembly elections and had addressed public rallies in Shahbad and Nalanda, proclaiming his intention. As per sources, the BJP directed him to stand down, as the NDA was keen to ensure that Nitish Kumar remained the undisputed Chief Ministerial face. Mr. Kumar reciprocated, visiting Mr. Paswan’s Patna residence during Chhath and spending time with his family, a symbolic gesture intended to signal unity to both LJP(RV) and JD(U) cadres.