Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJP(RV)] president Chirag Paswan has indicated his willingness to contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, contingent on it bolstering his party's prospects and strike rate within the NDA alliance. This announcement has stirred political discussions in Bihar, especially concerning seat-sharing arrangements within the ruling NDA coalition.

Paswan emphasized that his decision hinges on the potential benefits his candidacy would bring to the LJP(RV) and the NDA. He drew parallels with the BJP's strategy of fielding national leaders in state elections to fortify their campaigns, a tactic he is considering adopting. He stated that if his participation improves the party's strike rate, mirroring their 100% success in the recent Lok Sabha elections, he would "definitely contest."

Internal dynamics within the LJP(RV) suggest a strong desire for Paswan to contest from a general (unreserved) seat. This move is perceived as a strategic effort to project him as a leader with a broader appeal across Bihar, transcending caste lines. Arun Bharti, an LJP(RV) MP, publicly supported this idea, emphasizing Paswan's vision of "Bihar First, Bihari First," and the need for him to lead from within the state to realize a developed and self-reliant Bihar. The party has planned a 'Nav Sankalp Sabha' in Ara on June 8, intending to mobilize party workers and supporters across multiple districts.

Paswan also addressed the question of the NDA's chief ministerial candidate, affirming that there is "no vacancy" for the position and that Nitish Kumar would continue as Chief Minister after the elections. This statement is seen as accommodative of JD(U)'s insistence on Kumar's leadership and an attempt to alleviate any unease within the NDA.

Political analysts suggest that Paswan's willingness to contest could stem from his ambition to shift from national to state politics, potentially with an eye on the Chief Minister's post in the future. However, Paswan has dismissed such speculation, reiterating his commitment to Nitish Kumar's leadership.

The LJP(RV)'s stance on seat-sharing reflects their ambition for a "respectable" number of seats within the NDA. Given their performance in the Lok Sabha elections, where they won all five contested seats, the party is expected to push for a significant share. However, sources within the BJP suggest that the party might offer around 22-25 seats to LJP(RV).

The 2020 Bihar polls saw the then-undivided LJP contesting independently, which, while winning only one seat, significantly damaged JD(U)'s prospects in several constituencies. This history adds complexity to the seat-sharing negotiations within the NDA, with the LJP(RV) likely to claim seats where it performed well and caused losses to JD(U) in the past.

As Bihar gears up for the Assembly elections, Chirag Paswan's decision to potentially contest has injected a new dynamic into the political landscape. While he maintains that his focus is on strengthening the LJP(RV) and the NDA's position in the state, his move is being closely watched for its potential implications on Bihar's political future.