Chirag Paswan: Aiming Beyond Bihar

Chirag Paswan on Building Political Future: Don’t Want to Limit Myself to Bihar

Union Minister Chirag Paswan addressed his political aspirations during a session at the India Today Mumbai Conclave. He emphasized that he does not want to confine his political journey to his home state of Bihar. Paswan discussed a variety of topics, including the caste census, lateral entry, and his party’s expansion plans.

Focus on Political Expansion
Chirag Paswan noted that his party, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), is poised for expansion beyond Bihar. He stated, “My father’s priority was different. He worked with six PMs, which is a big achievement… But today, the scene is different. Expansion is on the cards; I don’t want to limit myself to Bihar.” He highlighted the upcoming elections in Jharkhand and mentioned that his party workers are already preparing for it.

Importance of Caste Census
Paswan expressed strong support for the caste census, underlining its necessity for effective governance. He remarked, “Caste census should happen because even today, many government policies need data for effective implementation.” He also addressed rumors about a possible split from the BJP.

Opposition to Lateral Entry Policy
On the controversial issue of lateral entry into bureaucracy, Chirag Paswan revealed his opposition to the policy. “We had strong reservations. I opposed it strongly,” he stated. He expressed satisfaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to withdraw the move.

Thoughts on Agniveer Scheme
Reflecting on the Agniveer scheme, Paswan shared his initial concerns but later mentioned that his doubts were resolved. “Today, the Agniveer scheme has been there for some time, and as of now, I do not have any concerns,” he stated.

Alliance Politics and 2025 Bihar Elections
Regarding alliances, Paswan affirmed his faith in pre-poll alliances and expressed confidence in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the 2025 Bihar elections. “I am my father’s son, and if you want my opinion, NDA will form the government in Bihar in 2025,” he said confidently.

Maintaining Party Cohesion
When asked about potential difficulties in keeping his party united, Paswan said, “My party was once broken, but was my identity finished? I am not arrogant, but I am Ram Vilas’s son. I will keep building myself back.”