{"id":1408,"date":"2025-08-03T10:48:50","date_gmt":"2025-08-03T10:48:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/03\/caste-coalitions-and-chirag-paswan-the-winds-of-change-in-bihar-politics-elections-news\/"},"modified":"2025-08-03T10:48:50","modified_gmt":"2025-08-03T10:48:50","slug":"caste-coalitions-and-chirag-paswan-the-winds-of-change-in-bihar-politics-elections-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/03\/caste-coalitions-and-chirag-paswan-the-winds-of-change-in-bihar-politics-elections-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Caste, Coalitions, And Chirag Paswan: The Winds Of Change In Bihar Politics | Elections News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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With a consistent 7\u20138 per cent vote share in urban-rural fringes, Chirag Paswan is back in the game—not as a marginal player, but possibly as a kingmaker<\/h2>\n
\"Chirag<\/p>\n

Chirag Paswan wants more seats this time, and many of the constituencies he is eyeing seem to be overlapping with core JD(U) voter bases. (X @iChiragPaswan)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

In Bihar\u2019s complex caste-and-coalition matrix, Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas)\u2019s Chirag Paswan continues to punch above his electoral weight. With a dedicated vote share of 7\u20138 per cent, largely consolidated among the Paswan community and youth, he aims to emerge as the potential kingmaker ahead of the year-end state elections. <\/p>\n

With a curious combination of criticism and praise for Nitish Kumar\u2019s government, Paswan manages to hold considerable political relevance, often wielding more influence than his party\u2019s modest vote share would suggest. That is precisely what Bihar\u2019s emerging political force Jan Suraj party chief Prashant Kishor is reportedly betting on.<\/p>\n

According to sources in NDA, Kishor recently floated a backroom proposal to Paswan, urging him to join forces with his newly floated party, and together they could aim to get at least 35-40 seats, potentially disrupting both NDA and Mahagathbandhan calculations. However, Paswan rejected his proposal and continued to be a part of the NDA, said a senior BJP leader, who is part of the alliance\u2019s election committee in the state. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Paswan wants more seats this time, and many of the constituencies he is eyeing seem to be overlapping with core JD(U) voter bases. This is not just about optics, but is a direct provocation for Nitish Kumar\u2019s JD(U), whom BJP considers a mandatory alliance partner. This is also why BJP is unlikely to allow Paswan a free run, fearing that internal conflict and a fragmented alliance of the kind seen in 2020 could again dent their own tally.<\/p>\n

The RJD, on the other hand, remains a formidable bloc with its solid 35 per cent vote base holding firm. Talking to News18, a senior RJD leader said, \u201cDespite challenges, our party is unlikely to bleed votes. In the last election, we fielded around 10-11 Kushwaha candidates, and all of them won. We will address the caste-community electoral aspirations which we know NDA cannot do. They have several compulsions.”<\/p>\n

The Paswan Variable<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Bihar\u2019s fractured political terrain, Paswan is quietly emerging as a crucial disruptor, yet again. With a consistent 7\u20138 per cent vote share in urban-rural fringes, he is back in the game\u2014not as a marginal player, but possibly as a kingmaker. <\/p>\n

And this time, all political parties are making calculations that may be just enough to tilt the post-poll math in a tightly contested election. \u201cIf we need to manage a winning margin of at least 30\u201335 seats or more this time. Bihar elections are crucial to us for several reasons, specifically for the 2027 Presidential elections. And, that is why we cannot lose any seat that is supposed to come to us,” says a strategist in the BJP camp. But Paswan\u2019s growing ambition could throw a spanner in the works.<\/p>\n

Paswan is insisting on a higher seat share this time, well beyond what the BJP and JDU are comfortable offering. The constituencies he\u2019s eyeing overlap with JDU\u2019s traditional voter base \u2014 OBCs, EBCs, and even some Mahadalit clusters, making it politically combustible. <\/p>\n

He is banking on the fact that Nitish Kumar\u2019s popularity is at a historic low with slip-ups in governance, anti-incumbency and the recent rise in crimes, and any clash over these seats could play into his \u201cson of Dalit soil” narrative. However, the BJP will not let him off the track so easily.<\/p>\n

A senior BJP leader said, \u201cSenior leaders will be in Bihar this week and they will talk to Paswan-ji. In fact, the message has reached him already which is reflected in his recent statement as well.” <\/p>\n

On the other side, the RJD holds firm with its estimated 35 per cent vote share, a solid Muslim-Yadav base. In other words, their caste arithmetic is holding strong, even if their alliance is messy.<\/p>\n

Bihar is staring at a volatile, multi-polar contest where even a 5 per cent swing can redraw the map. And in that churn, Chirag Paswan is not just a factor\u2014he could be the formula.<\/p>\n

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Madhuparna Das<\/a><\/p>\n

Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa…Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa… Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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