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HomePoliticsModi's 'Hanuman', Chirag Paswan, will find no place in his government

Modi’s ‘Hanuman’, Chirag Paswan, will find no place in his government

Chirag Paswan has called NDA's win in Bihar a victory for PM Modi. BJP, though, is unlikely to warm up to him given that Paswan's LJP put a dent in JD(U)'s seat tally.

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New Delhi: He dreamt of being a ‘king-maker’ like his father Ram Vilas Paswan, but Chirag Paswan’s role in Bihar’s politics has come under a cloud given the poor performance of his Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in the assembly polls. 

The LJP decided to go solo in the election despite being part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre, which included the Janata Dal (United).

The LJP won just one of the 137 seats it contested, that too, by a slim margin of 333 seats. However, it managed to deal a brutal blow to the JD(U), hurting the party on many seats and bringing its tally down to 43 from the 71 seats secured in 2015.

During his election campaign, Chirag had made no bones about the fact that his fight was only with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his JD(U) party, and not the BJP.

All of this will now have a major bearing on how the BJP treats him, a senior BJP leader told ThePrint.  


Also read: Despite the sweet victory, Modi-Shah BJP has a Nitish Kumar-sized problem in Bihar


‘Chirag on his own now’

The BJP leader said that even though Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not directly speak against Chirag while campaigning, he is unlikely to accommodate the LJP chief in the Union cabinet.  

Chirag’s father, Ram Vilas Paswan, had served as the Union minister of consumer affairs until his death this October. Many in the LJP hoped that Chirag would be accommodated in his stead. 

“The way he led his campaign and tried to hurt the NDA campaign … there is definitely no place for him at the Centre,” said the BJP leader. “As of now, the party is quite clear that our alliance partner is JD(U), and considering (Chirag) Paswan fought against the alliance, he can’t be given any position at all.” 

A second BJP leader told ThePrint that despite Chirag damaging the JD(U), the NDA managed to come to power, so his efforts have been in vain. “He needs to focus on his own party and concentrate on Bihar. He is on his own now,” said the leader. 


Also read: Tejashwi’s arrival, Nitish’s tenacity, Shah’s masterstroke — 5 takeaways from Bihar results


BJP unlikely to warm up to Chirag 

After the BJP accused him of seeking votes in the name of PM Modi, Chirag famously told reporters last month: “I don’t need to use PM Modi’s photos for campaigning. He lives in my heart, I am his Hanuman. If needed, I will tear open my chest and show it.” 

When Tuesday’s results became clearer, Chirag once again hailed the BJP, and said the NDA’s return to power was Modi’s victory

However, despite Chirag’s efforts, it seems unlikely the BJP will take any decision that may impact its equation with the JD(U). 

“The power equation has definitely changed as BJP has won more seats, and while this does give the party the power to be more assertive, it can’t afford to upset Nitish Kumar,” said a third BJP leader. “He holds the trump card as he is known for jumping ship. The leadership is mindful of these issues.” 

Bihar BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal told ThePrint that it is up to the senior leadership to take a call on Chirag. “Since Chirag Paswan contested against the alliance, he is not part of our coalition in Bihar … It is now the call of the senior leadership in Delhi, including Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda to take a call.” 

As it is, many in the JD(U) believe there was a tacit understanding between the BJP and the LJP, and are feeling a “bit betrayed”, according to a state BJP leader. 

“Such a decision will convey the wrong message and will not be healthy for the alliance,” the leader said. “Hence, it is unlikely that Chirag Paswan will be included in the cabinet anytime soon. But again, it is for the senior leadership to take a call on the issue.” 


Also read: In Bihar, BJP likely to get more cabinet berths but Nitish Kumar will be CM


‘LJP tried its best, showed courage’

On Wednesday, Chirag Paswan held a press conference in Patna and said his party had tried its “level best” in the election. 

“I got only 10 days to prepare post my father’s death. Happy that Bihar gave love to the LJP and around 25 lakh voters trusted ‘Bihar First, Bihari First’. We secured 6% votes while contesting alone. We were called a ‘pichhlaggu‘ (hanger on) party that can do something only with other’s support. We showed courage,” he said.

He also reiterated that he will not support Nitish Kumar. “If he goes on to become the Chief Minister of my state, he will not have my support at the state level. We will continue supporting PM Modi at the Centre.”

Chirag also said his decision to contest the polls solo will help the LJP in the 2025 assembly elections. He noted that the party had already laid the groundwork and performed well on a majority of the seats.


Also read: Nitish Kumar — ‘political wizard’ with no solo election win set to become CM 7th time


 

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2 COMMENTS

  1. LJP politics is like deep reverse move with silent, majesty shallow Brooks are noisy. Lack of intelligence also you are product of dynasty like Lalu and mulla mulayam dynasty politics days has gone forever in modern India it will more likely 2025 party will be sunya/sanata it will be better for nda if your party left, your action is an appeasement policy it is not good for great India. Jai Bihar jai Bharat

  2. There should be a cooling off period. This will allow Chirag to introspect. Chirag should, in due course, patch up with uncle Nitish. Modi Ji should groom him to take over BJP leadership in Bihar as he stresses he is his Hanuman. Basically he is well mannered, sober n respectfull youngman
    His judgement appears to have been clouded by misconceived assumption that Uncle Nitish was not his well wisher, during the illness of his father.

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