Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Chirag Paswan has confirmed that Nitish Kumar will once again assume the role of Chief Minister if the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secures victory in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Speaking from Patna, Paswan also stated that he is not seeking the position of Deputy Chief Minister.
This statement carries weight amid ongoing speculation about the NDA’s leadership post-polls. “On behalf of the entire alliance, I can say with confidence that Nitish Kumar will continue as Chief Minister, regardless of the seat tally of each NDA constituent,” Paswan said.
He also expressed his intent to contest from a general Assembly seat in the upcoming elections, emphasizing his commitment to serving Bihar directly. “My political journey was always meant for Bihar and Biharis. It is not possible to fulfill that goal from Delhi as a third-term MP. It’s time I return to my state,” he said.
Not Seeking Deputy CM Post
Paswan clarified that holding office is not his ambition. “The lure of a post has never driven me. If it had, I would not have parted ways with the alliance in 2020. Our party’s strength will decide the roles, but I am not eyeing the Deputy Chief Minister’s position. If the need arises, someone else from my party will take that role,” he said.
On Nitish Kumar’s Health
Addressing recent speculation about Nitish Kumar’s health, Paswan dismissed the concerns as exaggerated. “The issue has been blown out of proportion. If there were genuine concerns, we would have addressed them within the alliance. But there aren’t any,” he asserted.
Mending Ties with JD(U)
Reflecting on the 2020 elections when his party contested independently and was seen as damaging Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), Paswan acknowledged past tensions but said they have been resolved. “After 2019, I felt sidelined within the alliance at a time when my father was unwell. I was inexperienced and not given space. But today, I have been given the room to raise and address concerns within the NDA,” he explained.
Seat-Sharing and Election Strategy
Paswan confirmed that while seat-sharing negotiations are ongoing, they will be resolved amicably within the NDA. “It would be inappropriate to reveal any numbers before internal discussions conclude. However, our party has a strong track record — we won all five Lok Sabha seats we contested last year. We expect our seat allocation to reflect that performance,” he said.
Paswan also outlined his campaign schedule, noting rallies in Shahbad, Arrah, Rajgir, and upcoming events in Chhapra, Munger, and Gaya. “These rallies aim to energize voters and highlight the development brought by the double-engine government. The Prime Minister has already visited Bihar seven times,” he noted.
On the Election Commission’s Voter Drive
Responding to the Opposition’s criticism of the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) voter roll verification campaign, Paswan accused rival parties of manufacturing controversy. “The Opposition is trying to delegitimize the process so they can blame the system if they lose. They’ve moved on from EVMs to this new narrative,” he said.
He defended the ECI’s actions, stating, “Voter lists need periodic sanitization. While there may be concerns about documentation, the local administration is ready to assist. Our party is also helping citizens ensure their names are on the rolls.”
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