Bhojpur (Bihar) [India], June 11 : Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor came up with a suggestion for Union Minister and LJP (Ram Vilas) President Chirag Paswan, and said that if Chirag wants to make a genuine impact in Bihar politics, he must quit as Union Minister and work for Bihar.
Kishor emphasised that his long-term presence and engagement in Bihar had earned him credibility and trust among the people.
"The day he resigns as Union Minister and clarifies that he will work for Bihar, then people will take him seriously in Bihar. People in Bihar started taking me seriously when I clarified that I will not be doing the work I used to do, and since then, it's been three years and I am here in Bihar only and making efforts," Prashant Kishor said.
Kishor advised Chirag Paswan to follow suit if he wants to play a "massive role" in the upcoming Bihar elections. "So if Chirag wants to play a massive role in Bihar elections, he must leave Delhi and live in Bihar. And if he doesn't, then he is still an MP for Bihar," Kishor remarked.
In past as well Kishor has said that it is a good thing, if Chirag Paswan becomes active in Bihar Assembly politics.
On the possibility of Paswan contesting the Bihar Assembly elections, Kishore told reporters, "He (Chirag Paswan) is a part of the NDA and every person is free to contest elections. If Chirag Paswan contests the elections, it is a good thing for Bihar... If Chirag Paswan becomes active in Bihar Assembly politics, it is a good thing."
On Sunday, while addressing a rally in Bihar, Chirag Paswan announced that he will contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls.
Speaking at a public gathering in Arrah, Paswan declared that his party would support the NDA in all 243 assembly seats to ensure its victory. "For those who ask from where I will contest, I want to tell you that my party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and I will contest on 243 seats to make NDA candidates win and strengthen the NDA alliance. My goal is that the NDA moves towards victory," said Chirag.
The announcement was made in Arrah, a traditionally weak region for JD(U). Chirag Paswan said he would not contest the election "from Bihar but for Bihar." He added that he would leave the decision of his candidacy and constituency to the people.
"I leave this decision to you (people). You decide whether I should contest the Bihar assembly elections, and from which seat. I will follow your decision," he added.
Paswan's recent announcement has ignited a debate about seat-sharing within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar. Paswan's demand for 40 seats, citing his party's 100% strike rate in the last Lok Sabha polls, has raised eyebrows among NDA allies.
Chirag Paswan's party is demanding 40 seats, while other allies like Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) are also seeking a handful of seats, while the BJP and JD (U) are reportedly eyeing 100 seats each.
Chirag's posturing comes against the backdrop of the 2020 polls, where his party secured an almost 5.66% vote share. This brought down the JD(U)'s tally from 71 in 2015 to 43, relegating it to third place behind the RJD and BJP.
Bihar is expected to have its assembly elections later in the year. However, the Election Commission has not announced the dates as of yet.