New Alliance In Bihar? Pappu Yadav Claims Chirag Paswan, Prashant Kishor ‘Joined Hands’

In a major political development ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, Independent MP Pappu Yadav on Sunday claimed that Union Minister Chirag Paswan and poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor have “joined hands”. Speaking in Patna, Yadav suggested that Kishor should declare Paswan as the Chief Ministerial candidate, adding a new layer of intrigue to the state’s political landscape.

The Purnia MP’s bombshell statement comes just a day after Paswan, the chief of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), created ripples within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) by lashing out at his ally, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Paswan had stated he felt “sad and ashamed to support” the government amid a rising crime rate, fuelling speculation about his dissatisfaction within the coalition.

“Chirag Paswan and Prashant Kishor have joined hands. Prashant Kishor should announce Chirag Paswan as the Chief Minister,” Pappu Yadav told reporters. He added that such a political formation, even if it wins a few seats, would cause “trouble for the JDU and trouble for Nitish ji.” Yadav also extended an olive branch, saying, “If Chirag ji doesn’t like it there (in the NDA), we will welcome him.”

Paswan’s sharp criticism of his own alliance government has been seen as a significant move. “Either the administration is in collusion with [criminals] or the administration has become completely useless,” the Union Minister had said on Saturday, demanding that the state government take control of the situation.

The developments have elicited responses from other NDA partners. Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi urged Paswan to remain with the NDA and work to strengthen it. Alluding to the 2020 assembly polls where Paswan’s party contested separately and damaged the JDU, Manjhi said, “If he does not adopt the 2020 policy, it will be a very good thing.”

With the high-stakes Bihar elections scheduled for later this year, the political climate is heating up. The ruling NDA, comprising the BJP, Nitish Kumar’s JDU, and other allies, is set to face a challenge from the opposition Mahagathbandhan, which includes the RJD, Congress, and Left parties