Young, dynamic, and often referred to as the “Hanuman of PM Modi,” Chirag Paswan seems poised to emerge as the BJP’s potential Chief Ministerial face for Bihar. The BJP currently lacks a compelling CM candidate from within its ranks to present to Bihar’s electorate. After the demise of Sushil Modi, it has failed to fill the void. The Bihar Assembly elections, covering 245 constituencies with over 7.64 crore registered voters, are expected to be held by November 2025. As the political climate begins to shift, the BJP appears to be preparing to position Chirag Paswan as a serious contender to lead the state.
Nitish Kumar and BJP’s Dilemma
The current Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, popularly known as “Sushasan Babu,” has gained a reputation for frequent political realignments. Having shifted alliances between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the BJP, Nitish’s credibility has taken a hit. His past partnerships, especially with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD and his son Tejashwi Yadav as Deputy CM, followed by a return to the BJP-led NDA, have created a trust deficit both within the electorate and among his allies. Although the BJP has stuck with Nitish Kumar for pragmatic reasons, the party is known to be uncomfortable with his unpredictable political manoeuvres. With Samrat Chaudhary, a senior BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister, lacking the mass appeal to rival Nitish, the BJP is in urgent need of a charismatic, youth-driven leader who can bridge this gap and Chirag Paswan fits the bill.
Why Chirag Paswan?
Chirag Paswan brings a unique mix of youthful energy, soft-spoken charisma, and a clean image. The son of the late Ram Vilas Paswan, he leads a splinter group of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and has demonstrated unwavering loyalty to Prime Minister Modi. Despite being a Union Cabinet Minister, Chirag is reportedly discontent with his current portfolio — Food Processing Industries, a ministry often considered low in political weight. His preference is clear: to play a larger, more influential role in his home state. According to party insiders, two primary scenarios are under discussion between the BJP high command and Chirag Paswan:
Full Merger into BJP
Chirag merges his party, LJP (Ram Vilas), into the BJP and is officially declared the party’s CM candidate for Bihar. This option would likely offer Chirag greater political stability and authority but requires his total integration into the BJP, which some of his party colleagues may resist.
CM face of the alliance
Chirag contests the elections as an NDA ally, projected as the CM face. However, this route is fraught with challenges-primarily the seat-sharing dilemma. As the dominant partner, the BJP would demand a major share of constituencies and ministerial portfolios, potentially limiting Chirag’s influence in a future coalition Government.
A Calculated Risk or Strategic Shift?
Chirag’s potential elevation to the top post could serve multiple purposes for the BJP. It would allow the party to refresh its leadership in Bihar, address the vacuum created by Nitish Kumar’s waning influence, and tap into the Dalit vote bank, a demographic traditionally loyal to his father, Ram Vilas Paswan. While Chirag Paswan has not publicly committed to either path, his growing restlessness within the Union Cabinet and increasing clout in Bihar politics indicate that a shift is imminent. A merger, though complex, might offer him a long-term political future with deeper roots in Bihar’s governance. In the 2020 Bihar elections, LJP managed to win just one seat and its nine candidates were placed second. In the last General elections, Chirag Paswan’s LJP got five seats. To sum it up, LJP merger with the BJP could mean a win-win situation for both parties as Chirag’s candidates would get a fair share of upper caste votes in the name of the BJP and the BJP could benefit from Chirag’s vote bank and the legacy of his father, late Ram Vilas Paswan. As the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections draw closer, the question looms large: Will Chirag Paswan become the face of BJP’s new Bihar?
(The author is a political analyst. Views are personal)