In a decisive and assertive stand, Union Minister Pashupati Paras has reiterated his claim on the Hajipur seat, dismissing any possibility of a merger with his nephew Chirag Paswan’s faction of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Mr. Paras made it clear that he would contest from Hajipur, and Chirag Paswan had no say in the matter.
“Who is Chirag Paswan to say which seat belongs to him? Let him go to Jamui. I will contest from Hajipur… There are no ifs and buts about this,” Pashupati Paras stated firmly.
The visual of a warm hug shared between the uncle and nephew during the NDA meet had sparked speculation of a possible reconciliation. However, Pashupati Paras downplayed the gesture, stating, “He is my nephew. He touched my feet. It was my duty to give him my blessings.” He emphasized that such displays of familial affection should not be misconstrued as an indication of a political alliance.
The rift within the LJP came to the fore after Chirag Paswan’s decision to break away from the NDA ahead of the 2020 elections. Mr. Paras revealed that the dispute was primarily over contesting the elections as part of the NDA. While five out of six MPs wanted to remain in the NDA, Chirag Paswan, as the party’s president at the time, did not heed their counsel. His decision to field candidates against the BJP on six seats further deepened the divisions.
Responding to the BJP’s insistence on reunification of the two LJP factions, Pashupati Paras made it clear that a merger was out of the question. He drew attention to the family issues that had led to the split, saying, “When a team breaks, it can be put together, but not so the heart.”
The dispute now centers around the Hajipur seat, with both Pashupati Paras and Chirag Paswan claiming the right to contest from there. Chirag Paswan suggested that the matter had already been resolved in his favor by the NDA, stating, “The LJP (Ram Vilas) will contest the election from Hajipur.”
However, Pashupati Paras vehemently rejected the idea of relinquishing the Hajipur seat to his nephew’s faction. When asked about the possibility of aligning with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar if the BJP decides to support Chirag Paswan’s claim to Hajipur, Mr. Paras expressed his displeasure, reaffirming, “The BJP is with us. The Hajipur seat is ours. We will contest from Hajipur. There is no doubt about it.”
The BJP, keen on maximizing its chances in Bihar’s 40 Lok Sabha seats, faces a challenging task of bringing the two factions of the LJP back together. The tussle between Pashupati Paras and Chirag Paswan threatens to impact the party’s unity and electoral prospects in the state.
As the feud continues, all eyes are now on the BJP’s decision regarding the Hajipur seat and how it will navigate the delicate situation between the two prominent leaders within the LJP.
