Chirag Paswan, the son of the late Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, has risen from the depths of internal party turmoil to secure a prestigious position as a Cabinet Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term. His unwavering determination, coupled with steadfast loyalty to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has paved the way for this extraordinary achievement, etching his name in the annals of Bihar’s political history.
Early Political Footsteps
Chirag Paswan’s political career took root in 2014 when he contested and won the Lok Sabha election from the Jamui constituency, defeating his nearest rival, Sudhansu Shekhar Bhaskar of the Rashtriya Janata Dal. He retained this seat in the 2019 elections, solidifying his position as a rising force in Bihar politics. Following the untimely demise of his father, Ram Vilas Paswan, in 2020, a rift emerged between Chirag and his uncle, Pashupati Kumar Paras, leading to a split within the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).
The LJP Divide and Chirag’s Resilience
In 2021, the feud between Chirag and Paras escalated, resulting in the formation of two separate factions – the LJP (Ram Vilas), led by Chirag, and the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), headed by Paras. Initially, the BJP sided with Paras, appointing him as a Union Minister, leaving Chirag’s faction with a single MP and no MLAs. However, Chirag remained undeterred, embarking on an extensive public outreach campaign, the “Ashirwad Yatra,” which garnered immense support across Bihar. His unwavering loyalty to PM Modi and the NDA proved instrumental in his political resurgence.
Triumphant Return in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP entrusted Chirag’s LJP (Ram Vilas) with five crucial seats in Bihar – Hajipur, Vaishali, Samastipur, Khagaria, and Jamui. Chirag’s party achieved a remarkable feat, winning all five seats allocated to them, firmly establishing him as the new Dalit icon in Bihar politics. His victory from the Hajipur constituency, a seat represented eight times by his late father, carried immense symbolic significance, signaling his emergence as Ram Vilas Paswan’s true political heir.
Cabinet Induction and Future Prospects
Chirag Paswan’s induction into PM Modi’s Cabinet on June 9th, 2024, marked a pivotal moment in his political career. His meteoric rise, achieved without the guidance of his late father, stands as a testament to his tenacity and unwavering determination. As a Cabinet Minister, Chirag vows to realize his father’s vision and champion the ‘Bihar first, Bihari first’ agenda, aiming to transform the state he represents.
The BJP’s decision to entrust Chirag Paswan with crucial seats in the NDA alliance, coupled with his party’s stellar performance, has not only silenced his critics but also solidified his leadership within the LJP (Ram Vilas). His election as the Parliamentary Party leader further cements his position as the undisputed torchbearer of his late father’s legacy.
Chirag Paswan’s journey from a failed actor to a Cabinet Minister in PM Modi’s third term is a remarkable tale of resilience, perseverance, and political acumen. His ability to overcome adversity and emerge as a formidable Dalit leader in Bihar has etched his name in the annals of the state’s political history. As he assumes his new role, the nation eagerly awaits Chirag’s contribution to fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Bihar and India, while carrying forward his father’s remarkable legacy.