As Bihar gears up for the 2025 Assembly elections, political dynamics are heating up, with key players making strategic statements about their roles and expectations. Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJP(RV)] leader Chirag Paswan has clarified his stance regarding the Chief Ministerial position and his ambitions within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Paswan has explicitly stated that Nitish Kumar will be the Chief Minister again if the NDA wins the upcoming elections. This declaration comes amidst speculation about Paswan's own aspirations for the top job in Bihar. He has also firmly denied any interest in the Deputy Chief Minister's post, emphasizing that his priority is the NDA's performance as a whole. Paswan stated that if the situation arises where his party gets a significant number of seats, he would prefer one of his party members to take on the role of Deputy Chief Minister.

In an interview, Paswan said he is not looking for any post. He explained that his family background has instilled in him a perspective where holding a position is not the ultimate priority. He also added that had he been interested in a post, he would not have left the alliance in 2020. Had he contested with the alliance in 2020, he estimates he would have won 10-12 seats and potentially become a central minister four years prior with other ministers from his party in the state.

Paswan's current focus is on ensuring that the NDA performs well and achieves its targets in the upcoming elections. He believes that roles within the government will be assigned based on the strength of each party within the alliance. Paswan is aiming for a historic win, estimating that the NDA will secure more than 225 seats. He also expressed his desire to work for the youth and people of Bihar, which is why he wants to return to the state.

These statements mark a significant shift from the 2020 elections when Chirag Paswan contested independently, causing considerable losses to Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) [JDU]. During that election, Paswan had famously referred to himself as "Narendra Modi's Hanuman". This time around, he is seeking votes in the NDA's name.

Paswan's decision to contest the assembly elections himself has also sparked discussions. He is currently a Member of Parliament and a Union Minister, leading to questions about his motivations for returning to state politics. Paswan has cited his vision for "Bihar First, Bihari First" as a key driver, aiming to reverse migration from the state and create a better ecosystem for its residents. He feels that this vision can be better realized by being actively involved in state affairs.

The Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in October or November 2025. The NDA, comprising the BJP, JDU, and LJP(RV), will be looking to retain power. The Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, will aim to unseat Nitish Kumar. The election results will be closely watched, as they will determine the future political landscape of Bihar.