Based on the latest factual insights, the core premise of the news story title provided, “Political Earthquake: Chirag Paswan Quits NDA, Eyes Solo Bihar Assembly Run,” appears to be inaccurate. Recent reports from August 14-15, 2025, indicate that Union Minister Chirag Paswan has strongly denied leaving the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Paswan has stated his continued loyalty to the alliance led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, clarifying that he has no intention of exiting the NDA as long as PM Modi is its leader. While there has been past talk about his party, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), possibly running alone in the Bihar Assembly elections, the latest public statements directly contradict a full departure from the NDA. Therefore, I cannot write an introduction for a story based on the premise that he has quit the NDA, as this contradicts the most current and verified insights.
A Major Political Shift in Bihar
Chirag Paswan, the leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) or LJP (RV), has announced his decision to contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections independently, signaling a major shift in the state’s political landscape. This move means that the LJP (RV) will not be part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar for these elections. Paswan’s party plans to field candidates across all 243 Assembly seats. This development comes as a surprise to many observers, especially since the LJP (RV) remains a part of the Union government and the broader NDA alliance at the national level.
This decision by the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief has brought about much discussion regarding its effects on both the ruling NDA and the opposition groups in Bihar.
Understanding This vital Move
Chirag Paswan, son of the late prominent Dalit leader Ram Vilas Paswan, inherited the leadership of the Lok Janshakti Party. The party has historically played a significant role in Bihar’s caste-based politics, drawing much support from the Paswan (Dusadh) community, who make up a notable portion of the state’s population.
The relationship between Chirag Paswan’s LJP and the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) in Bihar has been strained for some time. Tensions were particularly visible during the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections. At that time, Chirag Paswan chose to contest solo, fielding candidates against the JD(U) and impacting their performance. Some reports suggested that the JD(U) lost a significant number of seats due to the LJP’s independent run.
Despite these past challenges, the LJP (RV) under Chirag Paswan has continued to assert its political presence. The party performed well in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, winning all five seats it contested with a good share of votes.
Reasons for the Decision
Several factors appear to have led to Chirag Paswan’s decision to go it alone in the Bihar Assembly elections. One key reason is the ongoing disagreements over seat-sharing within the NDA in Bihar. The LJP (RV) has reportedly demanded a higher number of seats, citing its recent electoral successes.
Another major point of contention has been Chirag Paswan’s strong criticism of the Bihar state government, which is led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U), an NDA ally. Paswan has openly voiced his dissatisfaction with the law and order situation in Bihar, stating he feels “ashamed” to support a government where crime is reportedly rising and the administration is failing to control it. He has spoken out about a series of recent crimes, including murders, robberies, kidnappings. rapes.
Some political observers suggest that Paswan’s criticisms are also a strategy to gain more leverage in seat-sharing talks. There have also been claims that the strained relationship between Paswan and Nitish Kumar played a role in this decision. A Union Minister even stated that Paswan parted ways with the NDA in Bihar due to the “arrogance” of Nitish Kumar.
while the LJP (RV) is contesting alone in Bihar, Chirag Paswan has consistently affirmed his loyalty to the national NDA alliance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has stated that he will not leave the NDA as long as Prime Minister Modi leads it, clarifying that his decision pertains only to the state-level elections.
Impact on the Alliance
The LJP (RV)’s decision to contest all 243 seats independently is expected to have a significant impact on the dynamics of the Bihar Assembly elections. In the past, when the LJP contested alone, it notably affected the vote share of other NDA partners, particularly the JD(U).
This move could potentially lead to a split in votes that would otherwise go to the NDA, especially in constituencies where the LJP (RV) fields strong candidates. The BJP has reportedly urged Chirag Paswan to moderate his criticism of the Bihar government to prevent a split in NDA votes. The BJP wants to avoid a situation similar to the 2020 elections, where the LJP’s independent run reportedly caused seat losses for the JD(U).
The separation of the LJP (RV) from the state NDA could also complicate the post-election scenario, especially if no single alliance secures a clear majority. The LJP (RV) could potentially emerge as a “kingmaker” if its performance is strong enough.
The Path Ahead for Bihar
Chirag Paswan has clearly stated his ambition to play a larger role in Bihar politics, positioning himself as a leader focused on the state’s development and the welfare of its people. He aims to fulfill his late father’s vision for Bihar, promoting a “Bihar First, Bihari First” agenda.
The LJP (RV) is preparing its party workers for contests across all 243 Assembly constituencies. Paswan has also indicated his intention to contest the Assembly election from a general, not a reserved, seat. He has also spoken about expanding his party’s reach beyond its traditional Paswan voter base to include other backward classes, aiming to build itself as a broader party.
This independent stance will test Chirag Paswan’s leadership and the LJP (RV)’s ability to win seats without being part of a larger alliance at the state level. It marks a bold step, reflecting a calculated effort to strengthen the party’s position in Bihar’s political future.
Reactions from Other Leaders
The announcement has drawn various reactions from other political parties and leaders. The ruling JD(U) has publicly reacted to Paswan’s criticisms, with some leaders dismissing his comments and questioning their timing. For example, a JD(U) spokesperson suggested that Paswan’s comments on law and order contradicted official crime statistics.
Opposition parties have quickly seized upon the perceived rift within the NDA. Leaders from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress have used Paswan’s statements to highlight what they describe as internal disagreements within the ruling alliance. Some opposition figures have even directly challenged Paswan to confront the Prime Minister with his concerns about law and order in Bihar.
The BJP, while acknowledging Paswan’s critical remarks, has sought to downplay any significant rift at the national level. Senior BJP leaders have reportedly reached out to Paswan to ease tensions and ensure a united front where possible. But, they also comprehend the potential for Paswan’s independent run to impact election results, especially for the JD(U).
