“Feel Sad to Support a Regime”: Chirag Paswan Slams Ally Nitish Kumar Over Bihar Crime Surge

Union Minister Chirag Paswan, a key ally in the BJP-led NDA, launched a scathing attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s government on Saturday, expressing “sadness” at supporting an administration where crime is allegedly spiraling and public safety is in decline. Speaking to the media, Paswan warned that unchecked incidents of murder, robbery, kidnapping, and rape were eroding public confidence, blaming the state administration for being “completely submissive before the criminals.”

Paswan’s statements come amid heightened political tensions ahead of the Bihar assembly elections. He said crimes are taking place across the state with alarming regularity, and accused the administration of failing to rein in the surge. “People of Bihar no longer feel safe and are questioning why criminal activities are not decreasing,” the Union Minister said, stressing the urgent need for the government to “wake up” and act before it is too late.

The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief also suggested that the Nitish Kumar-led government is either attempting to cover up the rise in crime or is unable to handle it. He underlined the suffering of families who have lost loved ones to such incidents, insisting that their pain must be acknowledged.

Paswan’s remarks signal dissent within the NDA alliance itself and are widely seen as positioning for the state polls. He repeated his long-standing “Bihar first, Bihari first” vision and hinted at his desire to return to state politics, stating that after three terms in Parliament, “staying in Delhi will not help achieve Bihar’s development.” He added that he has communicated his wish to contest the state elections to his party, but any final decision would hinge on whether his participation strengthens the party’s prospects.

Paswan pointed to his party’s “100% strike rate” in the recent Lok Sabha elections as motivation to aim for a similar feat in the upcoming state assembly polls. His comments have sparked considerable debate on social media, with some applauding his candor and others questioning the timing.

The sharp criticism comes as Bihar has been in the national spotlight over recent high-profile incidents of violent crime, sparking outrage and widespread demands for urgent reforms. Crime statistics over the past year have drawn concern from advocacy groups and opposition parties, who accuse the Nitish Kumar government of failing to maintain law and order. Official statements from the Chief Minister’s Office were not immediately available at the time of publication.