In a state where political legacies are often inherited but rarely secured, Chirag Paswan’s rise in Bihar politics stands out as one of the most striking turnarounds in recent times. For years, he lived in the shadow of his iconic father and tall dalit leader, Ram Vilas Paswan, while navigating internal rebellions, public embarrassments and strategic isolation. Yet, in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, Chirag has not only survived — he has arrived.
His political journey has been far from smooth. The most painful blow came in 2021, when Chirag was forcibly evicted from his late father’s government residence, where he had hoped to build a memorial. On the political front, his two uncles — including Pashupati Kumar Paras, who was favoured by the BJP during the succession battle and elevated to the Union Cabinet — led an internal revolt that split the party and nearly ended his career.
Worse, in the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, the JD(U) insisted that Chirag be kept out of the NDA. Although the BJP maintained an official distance, the lingering perception was that it had tacitly encouraged Chirag’s LJP to dent Nitish Kumar’s prospects. The strategy devastated JD(U), but Chirag, who was contesting alone, managed to win only one seat. Many believed he had overplayed his hand.
Yet, Chirag refused to fade away.
A stunning comeback
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections marked the beginning of his revival. The LJP (Ram Vilas) won all five seats it contested, shocking rivals and convincing the BJP leadership that Chirag had genuine grassroots appeal.
This newfound credibility earned him a remarkable deal in the 2025 Assembly elections — 29 seats, a number many in the NDA believed was too generous. But Chirag proved them wrong.
By 8 pm on counting day, the LJP(RV) had won 13 seats and was leading in 6 more (a strike rate of 65%). The performance is historic as the LJP last touched the 29-seat mark in 2005 and even then, it could not replicate the momentum. This time, the party has emerged as a crucial pillar of the NDA’s sweeping victory.
Mending the past, shaping the future
This election was also the first time the LJP and JD(U) fought together. Given their bitter history, skepticism was high. But Chirag took a calculated, strategic step by softening his criticism of Nitish Kumar. He praised the CM as a “necessity for Bihar” and even a “case study in political longevity”. Nitish’s visit to Chirag’s home during Chhath showed the new warmth that both the leaders shared.
The alliance paid off handsomely, consolidated by Chirag’s relentless campaign and the BJP’s larger messaging.
Why Chirag’s rise matters?
At 43, Chirag Paswan is among the youngest mass leaders in Bihar. His charismatic, Modi-aligned image — he famously called himself the PM’s “Hanuman” — appeals to a new generation of voters. His political positioning also fills a leadership vacuum in Bihar’s Dalit politics after the decline of older socialist stalwarts.
His dramatic comeback reaffirms two truths of Bihar’s political landscape. One, legacy leaders must prove themselves and Chirag did. Two, in modern Bihar, youth, alliance discipline and narrative clarity matter more than old loyalties.