With 22 Seats, Is Chirag’s ‘Bihari First’ Set for Bigger Power in the Double-Engine Setup?

Patna: The long battle that went on in two phases of the Bihar Assembly elections of 2025 ended on Friday. The NDA alliance again took the keys to power in its hands. But in this election, one face emerged, who became the new face of youth politics—Chirag Paswan. His Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) won 29 seats, leading on 22, achieving a 72% strike rate. This is the Paswan who not only maintained the legacy of his father Ram Vilas Paswan but also made it shine.

How was the performance in the Lok Sabha elections?

Chirag's hard work paid off. In Lok Sabha 2024, LJP (RV) won 5 out of 5 seats, i.e., a 100% strike rate. But we will not be able to forget the pain of 2020. Then the united LJP contested independent elections after differences with Nitish Kumar and won only 1 seat out of 130. Vote share was fine, but JDU's game was spoiled. In the war to capture Ram Vilas's legacy, in 2021, uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras broke the party. Chirag fell alone and started struggling. He did not give up and championed Dalit interests, branding himself as 'Yuva Bihari.'

How did he cut RJD seats?

This time it jumped on 29 seats, and gained the lead on 2. Strong hold in Hazariprasad (Samastipur) and Belaganj (Jehanabad). A major reason for RJD's seats being cut was Chirag's vote cutting. Political experts say that Chirag countered Nitish in Paswan vote bank. His role in NDA will increase and speculation about a cabinet berth or Deputy CM has intensified. Tejashwi Yadav's MY (Muslim-Yadav) strategy failed, but Chirag's EBC-Dalit focus worked.

What role will you get in the new government?

It is clear from the figures so far that NDA is ahead on 204 seats and is on the threshold of an absolute majority. RJD was reduced to just 33 and Congress to 5. Chirag's journey was full of thorns- he emerged from his father's shadow and created his own identity. From the defeat of 2020 to the victory of 2024, this is a story of inspiration. What role will you get in the new government? The results will tell, but Chirag proved that there is power in youth politics.