Union Minister and LBJ(RV) President Chirag Paswan to Contest Bihar Assembly Elections
New Delhi, June 2, 2025 (IST) – Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (LBJ(RV)) president Chirag Paswan has announced that he will “definitely contest” the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections if his candidature improves his party’s prospects in the state.
Chirag told reporters during his visit to Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, earlier today: "I have already stated that I do not see myself in the Centre’s politics for a longer period. My entry into politics is for Bihar and Biharis. I aim to make Bihar the most developed state like the developed states. By entering politics, I want to ensure that my state, Bihar, stands level with the developed states. After becoming an MP for the third time, I realized that staying in Delhi might not be possible by myself."
Chirag is considering contesting the polls if it benefits his party’s performance in the elections. "The party is evaluating whether my candidacy will improve its odds. When national leaders contest state elections, it strengthens the party’s position in elections. Although the BJP has used this strategy before, I will contest if it helps improve my party’s strike rate and win against the alliance. I will aim for a 100% strike rate, just like in the previous state assembly elections," Chirag said.
Chirag mentioned that his vision is for “Bihar First, Bihari First” and that he wants to lead the state and its people. He also highlighted the LBJ(RV)’s 100% strike rate in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Bihar and his awareness that this feat would be best achieved if he contests the assembly elections from Central to replace currently incumbent Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.
Legacies and Relationships
Chirag has expressed his desire to contest from a general seat to signify a broader readiness to lead the entire state, not just a section. Despite a strained relationship with JD(U) and Nitish, the workers at the LBJ(RV) are eager for him to contest. Chirag’s current post is from Hajipur (SC-reserved), the constituency of his father and late LBJ(RV) founder Ram Vilas Paswan.
In 2020, the undivided LBJ(RV) alone won just one seat out of 135, slightly damaging the JD(U)’s position but maintaining its course.
