In a move that signals an effort to expand beyond its traditional Bihar base, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on February 28 said the party is gearing up to contest the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam.
Speaking to reporters at Ranchi airport, Paswan said the party has been steadily strengthening its organisational network in different States and already has MLAs in Jharkhand and Nagaland.
“Our MP Rajesh Verma recently toured Assam and West Bengal. After Holi, he will visit both States again to assess the ground situation,” Paswan said. “Based on his report, the party’s parliamentary committee will take a final call on whether to contest the elections there,” he added.
Paswan was in Jharkhand to attend a private programme.
On the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, he said the NDA’s focus would be on ensuring the victory of all five “strong candidates” from Bihar. “Our priority is to make sure that all five capable NDA candidates from Bihar, who can effectively raise the State’s issues, get elected to the Rajya Sabha. The names will be announced soon,” he said, noting that discussions among alliance partners are ongoing.
Responding to speculation about his mother returning to active politics, Paswan said her name has been discussed several times but she is not keen on taking up an active political role at this stage.