RLJP’s Paras has emerged as a coveted ally, with both camps courting him.
NEW DELHI: As Bihar gears up for its upcoming Assembly elections later this year, political maneuvering has reached a fever pitch, with both major alliances—the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress-led I.N.D.I.A. bloc—scrambling to secure the backing of key regional leaders. Among those at the center of this tug-of-war is Pashupati Kumar Paras, the chief of the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), a faction of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).
With the election date drawing closer, competition between the two alliances has intensified, as both the NDA and the I.N.D.I.A. bloc make strategic moves to strengthen their coalitions. In this high-stakes battle, Paras has emerged as a coveted ally, with both camps actively courting him and his party, acknowledging the crucial role he could play in shaping Bihar’s electoral landscape. While the NDA and the opposition bloc have extended offers to Paras to join their respective sides, he remains undecided and is carefully weighing his options before making a move.
According to a source within Paras’ camp, the Janata Dal-United (JDU)-led NDA in Bihar has offered his party, the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), eight Assembly seats to contest under its banner. However, despite the proposal, Paras has yet to accept the offer. The primary reason behind his hesitation is the presence of the other faction of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), led by his nephew Chirag Paswan, who is a key ally of the NDA.
The source further revealed that Paras is reluctant to join the NDA as it would mean indirectly aligning with Chirag, with whom he shares a fraught political relationship. Given their ongoing rivalry, Paras is wary of a situation where he would have to share political space with his nephew, who has already established himself as a dominant force within the NDA. As a result, despite the eight-seat offer, Paras remains noncommittal and continues to explore his political options.
On the other hand, the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar, has made a significantly stronger proposal, offering Paras 16 seats—double the NDA’s offer. This more attractive deal increases the likelihood of Paras aligning with the opposition rather than joining the NDA. The source also indicated that if Paras chooses to side with the RJD-led alliance, he and his party would emerge as the principal Dalit face of the opposition, allowing him to consolidate his voter base and bolster his influence within Bihar’s political framework.
Conversely, if he opts for the NDA, he would have to contend with Chirag Paswan, who is already positioned as the alliance’s key Dalit leader. This competition makes the I.N.D.I.A. bloc’s offer more appealing to Paras, as it promises him a more prominent role and greater political significance within the opposition coalition.
Meanwhile, Aditya Rathi, a political analyst closely monitoring the developments, told The Sunday Guardian that Paras is carefully evaluating the strategic and electoral advantages of both alliances before making a final decision. His choice will likely hinge on factors such as seat-sharing arrangements, potential electoral gains for his party, and long-term political prospects within the coalition he selects. Given his past association with the NDA and his strained ties with Chirag Paswan, his next move is being keenly observed by political analysts.
Rathi added that Paras’ decision is expected to have a substantial impact on the state’s political dynamics ahead of the crucial elections. With both alliances aggressively vying for his support, his choice of allegiance will significantly influence electoral strategies, particularly in constituencies with a substantial Dalit voter base. As Bihar heads into a critical election season, Paras’ final decision is set to shape the broader political landscape, affecting both the NDA and the I.N.D.I.A. bloc’s prospects in the polls.