How ‘Modi’s Hanuman’ Chirag Paswan has emerged as a surprise star in the Bihar election results 2025

Chirag Paswan, leader of Lok Janshakti Party’s (LJP) Ram Vilas Paswan faction, has emerged as one of the standout performers in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. The LJP (RV) has contested 28 seats and is ahead in 23, posting a strike rate of almost 85%, marking Paswan as a key player in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).There was speculation that the BJP might be grooming a successor to 74-year-old Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, especially after the latter allotted 29 seats to his party; Chirag Paswan was seen as a potential candidate. However, the NDA later confirmed that Nitish Kumar would continue as Chief Minister for this period.
Founded in 2000, the LJP first joined the NDA, split in 2002 following the Godhra riots, and later joined the UPA in 2004. Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan held important ministerial posts during this period. He returned to NDA in 2014 and again served in important positions in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet. After his death, the party split and Chirag Paswan emerged as the dominant leader of the Ram Vilas Paswan faction.

Chirag Paswan: From sole competitor to alliance influencer

In 2020, Chirag Paswan contested alone following disagreements over seat sharing, winning just one seat but impacting JD(U)’s performance in 29 constituencies. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections were a turning point; LJP (RV) strengthened Paswan’s position in the NDA by winning all the five seats it contested.

The fact that LJP contested 28 seats and is ahead in 23 seats in the 2025 Assembly polls underlined Paswan’s growing influence. He praised Nitish Kumar as a “necessity” for the state and a “case study in political longevity”, brushing aside anti-incumbency sentiments. The CM’s visit to his home during Chhath further emphasized the spirit of renewed alliance.

Going beyond core supporters

Political analysts point out that Paswan’s appeal now extends beyond Dalit voters. Polls and early trends suggest that the candidates fielded by the LJP, including upper caste, EBC and women candidates, are helping to expand the party’s sphere of influence. His campaign combined emotional support reminiscent of his father Ram Vilas Paswan’s legacy with a focus on development and youth employment, positioning him as a next-generation leader. The LJP’s performance completed the BJP and JD(U)’s consolidation of traditional vote banks, allowing the NDA to tap into Dalit and EBC strongholds, especially central and western Bihar, where RJD had previously dominated.

A rising star in NDA

As the final results are nearing completion, the NDA’s strong leadership reflects voters’ approval of its governing record and election strategy. According to Chirag Paswan, this success confirms his alignment with the BJP and positions him as a key figure in Bihar politics, potentially shaping the future leadership of the NDA.