Chirag Paswan Weighs His Options as Prashant Kishor Alliance Gains Buzz

Chirag Paswan Weighs His Options as Prashant Kishor Alliance Gains Buzz
Jitendra Kumar
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As Bihar inches closer to the 2025 Assembly elections, the state’s political cauldron is beginning to boil. One of the most talked-about possibilities is a surprising but increasingly plausible alliance between Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan and political strategist-turned-leader Prashant Kishor.

Though no formal announcement has been made, the buzz refuses to die down. Sources close to Paswan say the party is keeping “all options open” as seat-sharing talks with NDA allies, particularly the BJP, remain in a deadlock.

A Stalemate in NDA

The immediate cause of tension? Numbers. Chirag Paswan is demanding 40 seats in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, riding on the LJP’s 100% success rate in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections where it won all five seats it contested. However, the BJP is reportedly unwilling to concede more than 25 seats, setting the stage for a potential fallout.

“We brought results in 2024 when others couldn’t. Our demand isn’t arrogance—it’s based on ground realities,” an LJP insider told reporters, on condition of anonymity.

This tug-of-war has stalled any formal declaration of the NDA alliance framework in Bihar, which, in turn, fuels speculation that Paswan may be entertaining alternatives.

Kishor’s Emergence as an Alternative

Enter Prashant Kishor — the election strategist who helped script historic wins for multiple national parties, from Modi’s 2014 campaign to Nitish Kumar’s 2015 victory. After launching his political platform, Jan Suraaj, Kishor has been slowly but steadily building grassroots support across Bihar.

Kishor’s appeal lies in his “clean slate” politics and sharp organizational acumen. For Paswan, an alliance with Kishor presents several potential advantages:

  • More Negotiating Power: Kishor has no political baggage and is likely to offer LJP a larger share of seats.
  • Freedom from BJP Overshadowing: In NDA, LJP often plays second fiddle. A new front could offer Paswan greater autonomy.
  • Electoral Calculations: Kishor’s voter outreach programs in rural areas may complement LJP’s urban Dalit base.

“Prashant Kishor is someone we respect, and in politics, conversations are always happening. No door is ever completely closed,” said a senior LJP functionary when asked about the ongoing buzz.

Political Strategy or Real Possibility?

Some political analysts believe the Kishor talk may be more about building leverage than actually jumping ship.

“Paswan is playing a smart game. He knows the BJP is watching. The moment the fear of defection becomes real, the BJP might revise its seat-sharing offer,” said political observer Sanjay Kumar.

But even if it’s a bluff, it’s an effective one. With the election calendar expected to be announced shortly, the timing of this “soft threat” couldn’t be better.

Challenges in a New Front

However, aligning with Kishor is not without complications.

Kishor’s party lacks an electoral track record. While his political engineering skills are renowned, converting that into votes under his own banner is still unproven. For Paswan, joining hands with an untested entity carries risks.

Moreover, there are questions about leadership dynamics. Both leaders have strong personalities. Who would lead such a formation? Would Paswan be willing to share the spotlight?

Still, the buzz continues, aided by vague yet tantalizing comments from insiders in both camps.

Impact on NDA

If Paswan were to break ranks, it could deal a serious blow to NDA’s arithmetic in Bihar. In the 2020 elections, the LJP had damaged JD(U)’s prospects despite not officially leaving NDA. A full-fledged exit could further fragment the anti-RJD vote.

While BJP remains silent on these developments, JD(U) leaders have reportedly expressed concern privately. With CM Nitish Kumar facing waning popularity, the party cannot afford a split in the NDA vote bank.

Future Moves

For now, Chirag Paswan remains non-committal. He continues to meet NDA leaders but hasn’t ruled out any possibility. Kishor, for his part, has refused to comment directly on a potential alliance but has not denied that “talks happen behind closed doors in politics.”

As Bihar enters campaign mode, the next few weeks will be critical. Will Paswan leverage his position to secure more seats within NDA? Or will he take the bold plunge and back a new formation with Kishor?

Either way, one thing is clear: Bihar’s political landscape is shifting—and Chirag Paswan holds one of the most important keys.

Journalist Details

Jitendra Kumar
Jitendra Kumar is an Indian journalist and social activist from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh is known as the senior journalist and founder of Xpert Times Network Private Limited.