Chirag Paswan, the leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and a key ally in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has emerged as a significant force within the coalition, despite his party holding just five seats in the Lok Sabha. Paswan’s influence was on full display recently when the government was about to introduce the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament. Stepping out of the ‘Makr Dwar’ of the Parliament, Paswan made it clear to CNN-News18 that his party wanted the Bill to be sent to a parliamentary committee first. His stance prompted the government to reconsider its position, showcasing the growing clout of the LJP under his leadership.
Consistent Influence in Key Decisions
This was not the first instance where Chirag Paswan and his party were seen punching above their weight. Just days before the Waqf Bill issue, LJP MP Shambhavi Choudhary expressed the party’s disagreement with the Supreme Court’s judgment on subcategorizing the Scheduled Castes (SC) quota and excluding the creamy layer from it. Following this, Chirag Paswan held a press conference announcing that the LJP would file a review petition before the Supreme Court, opposing the judgment. This move demonstrated the LJP’s willingness to take a stand on sensitive issues, even when it meant challenging the judiciary’s decisions.
On another occasion, Paswan openly criticized the government’s decision to hire 45 professionals as lateral entrants into the civil services without adhering to the reservation formula. His vocal opposition led to the government revisiting and eventually canceling the advertisement for these positions. Paswan later publicly thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reconsidering the move, further solidifying his reputation as a politician who can influence key decisions within the NDA.
The Most Vocal Ally in NDA
Among other NDA allies, including the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) with 16 MPs, the Janata Dal (United) with 12 MPs, and the Shiv Sena with 7 MPs, it is the LJP with just five MPs that has emerged as the most vocal. Chirag Paswan’s assertiveness and his strategic positioning within the NDA have allowed him to exert influence disproportionate to his party’s numerical strength. Paswan, who also holds a cabinet position, has used his platform to voice concerns on issues critical to his constituents and the broader political landscape.
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In the past, Chirag Paswan has described himself as the ‘Hanuman’ of Narendra Modi, a metaphor that speaks to his loyalty and his role in bolstering the Prime Minister’s policies. His vocal criticism of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar until Kumar rejoined the NDA further highlights Paswan’s commitment to the alliance, albeit on his own terms.
Caste Factor: A Strategic Focus
Paswan’s strategic acumen is evident in his acute awareness of caste-related issues that could impact the NDA politically. Sources within the LJP suggest that Paswan has learned from the 2015 Bihar Assembly elections when a comment by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on reviewing reservations hurt the BJP’s prospects, allowing the JD(U)-RJD alliance to win by capitalizing on the controversy. Paswan is also a strong advocate for a nationwide caste census, a proposal that the BJP has been reluctant to endorse.
The Modi government’s decision to reverse the lateral entry move, which Paswan opposed, was likely influenced by concerns that the Opposition could use the issue to gain an advantage in upcoming assembly elections. The dominance of the caste narrative in recent political discourse, driven in part by Rahul Gandhi’s focus on reservation policies during the Lok Sabha elections, has made it imperative for the BJP to avoid giving the Congress any leverage on this front.
Looking Ahead: Strategic Calculations
With assembly elections approaching in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, it is expected that the government will roll out a revised lateral entry scheme that includes 60% reservation provisions, aligning with the demands of Paswan and others. This move is likely aimed at neutralizing any potential backlash from the Opposition and ensuring that the BJP maintains its electoral prospects in these states.
Chirag Paswan’s ability to prompt U-turns within the NDA, despite his party’s modest representation in the Lok Sabha, underscores his growing influence within the alliance. As a key NDA ally, Paswan has demonstrated that strategic positioning and a focus on critical issues can allow even smaller parties to punch above their weight in India’s complex political landscape.
