'If my party is ready, I am ready to contest polls': Chirag Paswan's big remark ahead of Bihar election

Chirag Paswan

Union minister and LJP (RV) chief Chirag Paswan reportedly created a flutter in Patna's power corridors  by hinting that he would contest the upcoming assembly elections due in October-November.

Talking to the media in Vaishali district on Friday, Chirag reportedly said, “If my party is ready, I am ready to contest the assembly elections. It is conducting a survey in different assembly constituencies. Both my party and the NDA will benefit if I contest the election.”

Bihar's top political leaders — Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav and the new entrant, Jan Suraaj Party chief Prashant Kishor — have started setting the tone for the upcoming elections as suspense grows over seat-share formulas and the chief minister's face. After Operation Sindoor, this will be the first election in the country.

“It is not a pretence; my party is giving serious thought to the matter. It is not only a matter of personal ambition, but part of the broader strategy of the LJP (RV) and NDA. My party will be able to win more seats if I contest the assembly elections, helping the NDA too. My party wants to improve its strike rate in the assembly elections and there are several instances when it has been seen that any senior leader of the party contesting elections leaves an impact on the entire organisation,” Chirag Paswan added.

The assembly elections in Bihar are expected to be held in October-November this year. The main battle is likely to be between the National Democratic Alliance [NDA] and the Mahagathbandhan. However, a pre-poll opinion survey suggests that Prashant Kishor may gain some popularity.

In the 2020 assembly elections, Chirag had contested separately and not as a constituent of NDA. He had also fielded party candidates against JD (U) candidates, relegating chief minister Nitish Kumar’s party to the third position in the seat tally.