Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Friday dispelled rumors of a rift between his party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJP-RV), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In an interview with PTI, Paswan asserted that he considers himself “inseparable” from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing his unwavering loyalty to both Modi and the BJP.
Paswan’s comments came in response to growing speculation about his party’s relationship with the BJP, especially after recent disagreements on issues like Wakf Board reforms and lateral entry into the bureaucracy. However, Paswan dismissed these speculations, stating that his views have always aligned with the government’s stance. He cited the example of sending the Wakf Bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee as a case where his position reflected the government’s decision.
Despite his firm support for Modi and the BJP, Paswan also expressed his readiness to contest the upcoming Bihar assembly elections as an NDA (National Democratic Alliance) partner, should the BJP wish to include his party in the alliance. “My love for Narendra Modi is unshakeable. I am inseparable from him, for as long as he is Prime Minister,” Paswan remarked, underlining his commitment to the alliance.
The rumors of a potential rift were further fueled by a recent meeting between Paswan’s estranged uncle, Pashupati Kumar Paras, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Some political observers speculated that Shah’s meeting with Paras, who had split the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in 2021, was a subtle warning to Paswan to stay in line with the BJP’s interests. However, Paswan brushed off these suggestions, pointing out that Paras had lost public support and that similar meetings had not yielded any significant outcomes in the past.
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Paswan’s relationship with his uncle has been strained since the 2021 split, which led to Paras forming the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party. The division resulted in a political tussle over the legacy of the LJP, which was originally founded by Paswan’s late father, Ram Vilas Paswan. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Paras had won the Hajipur seat, a stronghold of the Paswan family. However, in the 2024 elections, Chirag Paswan secured the seat, leaving Paras sidelined.
Chirag Paswan also addressed the recent controversy surrounding Kangana Ranaut, a BJP MP and an old friend of his. Ranaut had faced backlash for her comments about the farmers’ protests, where she compared the situation to Bangladesh and made controversial remarks about sexual violence. While Paswan acknowledged that Ranaut’s comments were her personal views and not endorsed by the BJP, he condemned the offensive remarks made by Punjab leader Simranjit Singh Mann, who had taunted Ranaut with an inappropriate comment.
Paswan emphasized that trivializing a crime as severe as rape is unacceptable, especially in light of the recent horrific incident in Kolkata involving a doctor. The crime has evoked strong reactions across the country, including from the President of India. Paswan’s condemnation of Mann’s remarks highlights his stance on maintaining the dignity of public discourse and not downplaying serious issues.
As Bihar approaches its assembly elections, Paswan’s declarations of loyalty to Modi and the BJP, coupled with his dismissal of any internal conflicts, are likely to solidify his party’s position within the NDA. His statements also serve to reassure his supporters and allies that the LJP (RV) remains a committed partner in the BJP-led alliance.
