Chirag Paswan has invited senior leaders from key parties to the event organised to mark the first death anniversary of his father Ram Vilas Paswan, on September 12. The Lok Janshakti party leader's ability to bring together a bevy of leaders would be keenly watched in the state. What has attracted attention in the recent days is the bonhomie shared between Chirag and Tejashwi Yadav, leader of opposition in Bihar assembly and RJD leader.
Chirag has a reason to seek support from the RJD, or at least maintain good relations with the party, as the division within his party greatly diminished his stature. His uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras revolted against Chirag’s leadership, and the ruling BJP recognised Paras as inheritor of Ram Vilas Paswan’s legacy, by giving him berth in the Union cabinet.
Chirag, however, invited his uncle. But his meetings with Lalu Prasad Yadav assumes significance. Chirag needs blessings of an established leader to survive in Bihar politics, as his solo campaign during 2020 elections ended on a bitter note. Both RJD and LJP have been silent on an electoral understanding, but there is ample favourable ground for this tie-up.
The state will go for an 11-phase panchayat elections starting on September 24, followed by by-polls to two assembly seats in the state. While panchayat polls are not contested on party symbols, the actual understanding will be visible when the bypolls take place for which dates are yet to announced.
Two seats - Tarapur and Kusheswar Asthan- were won by JDU candidates last year, but had fallen vacant upon their death. RJD has already announced that it will contest the seat though Kusheswar Asthan seat was contested by its ally Congress, last year.
The JDU had won the seats with a margin of over 7,200 votes. The LJP, which had contested the elections, had come third, getting over 11,000 votes. If Chirag was to lend support to RJD, it will make it difficult for JDU to win them.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is a common political enemy for both Chirag and Tejashwi. The bypoll election results will give an indication of churn in the state politics.
However, as the fight is on to claim the ownership of LJP between Chirag and his uncle, the unit headed by Paras will support Nitish Kumar.
Though Chirag felt shortchanged by the BJP he has refrained from attacking the saffron party leadership. Whether he will openly ally with the RJD or still hope for that soothing gesture from the BJP, remains to be seen.
