Chirag Paswan: In light of the outcomes of the Bihar assembly elections, political speculation has returned to a familiar place: Who will lead the NDA? Union Minister and LJP (Ram Vilas) head Chirag Paswan has reinforced this speculation, having met Patna Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and made statements on the future leadership of the NDA.
Firm, but Not Without Qualification
Paswan’s remarks post-meeting complied with the requisite endorsement: “There is no vacancy for the CM post in Bihar.” Paswan placed himself in Nitish Kumar’s camp, arguing that he expects to see a “strong NDA government” form in Bihar under Nitish Kumar’s leadership.
A few moments later, he pointedly reiterated his belief that Kumar will once again emerge as the CM, conferred by the NDA MLAs who have been elected. For now, Paswan is playing the role of loyal party member without deviation.
Future Ambitions, Subtle Signals
Nevertheless, Paswan has not fully dismissed his own expectations for the future. In a recent interview, he indicated that he “wanted to run for the Bihar elections” but put it off to help strengthen the party’s strategy overall. He also used a humble metaphor: “I may not be able to cook dal by myself, but I can certainly be the ‘namak'” – a supporting flavour, but an essential one.
Paswan’s future sights seem to reach beyond 2025. He indicated the real appeal for the top job is likely to come in 2030 or 2035. Until then, he could find himself reconciling − expanding influence while building grass-roots strength.
Endorsement Amid Internal Rift
Even with previous tensions between Paswan and Nitish, particularly in earlier coalition dramas, this public comment shows the two have meaningfully come together again. JD(U) has also backed Nitish as its CM face for the upcoming term, further supporting a narrative for the public for a clear leader.
Yet, there are alternate perspectives that suggest a more nuanced view. Analysts and political operatives view Paswan as something more than just a loyalist: a long-term rival. He has advanced his thoughts to establish a position (focusing on “quality over quantity” in his demand for seats), and projected his own ambition in a muted way that makes him a potential future CM.
So, is there a CM Race?
In the immediate term, no. Paswan appears to have put his faith in Nitish Kumar to be the CM. However, the future may be more fluid. Paswan’s emphasis on measured public statements, along with the implications of his legacy (the son of Ram Vilas Paswan), suggests that he is laying the groundwork for a potential larger leadership role in the future.
With that said, Paswan is not yet openly challenging Nitish Kumar. However, Paswan is slowly but surely building momentum and is working the long game. And, as Bihar politics continues to evolve, even that slow fire could catch on.
