In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Bihar’s political landscape, Chirag Paswan, the prominent leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), has openly declared his intention to contest all 243 seats in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. This bold announcement has unsettled both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) (JDU).

Chirag Paswan, a three-time Member of Parliament and son of the late Ram Vilas Paswan, is positioning himself as a champion for Bihar and its people. “I will contest from every seat, not for myself, but for Bihar and Biharis,” he declared at a rally in Ara, making it clear that his fight is for the state’s future, not just his own political ambitions.

Previously, Chirag had demanded 50-60 seats in alliance talks, but with the BJP and JDU reportedly planning to split 200 seats between themselves, Chirag decided to go solo. This move echoes the 2020 elections, where his independent candidates cost Nitish Kumar’s party 25-30 seats, reducing JDU’s tally to just 43 seats.

Chirag’s aggressive campaign is reminiscent of his father’s political maneuvers. In 2005, Ram Vilas Paswan played a key role in preventing Nitish Kumar from becoming Chief Minister. Now, Chirag seems determined to block Nitish Kumar’s path to the top post once again. Despite being part of the NDA at the national level, Chirag has repeatedly expressed his displeasure with Nitish Kumar, accusing him of disrespecting his father.

Some political analysts believe Chirag’s tough stance is a strategy to pressure the BJP and JDU into offering more seats. Others see him as positioning himself as the leading Dalit youth face in Bihar, possibly even as a kingmaker or future Chief Minister. His declaration to contest all seats is seen as a direct challenge to the current power structure.

The BJP, aware of the shifting dynamics, is keenly watching Chirag’s moves. The party’s plan to allocate 100 seats each to itself and JDU, with the remaining to smaller allies, is now threatened by Chirag’s open rebellion. Nitish Kumar’s attempt to sideline Chirag with a mere 20 seats has clearly backfired.

Chirag Paswan’s campaign is gathering momentum, with rallies and public meetings across Bihar. His message is clear: he will do whatever it takes to prevent Nitish Kumar from becoming Chief Minister again, even if it means fielding candidates on every seat and splitting the NDA vote.

As Bihar heads into a heated election season, the unity of the NDA is under serious strain. Whether Chirag’s gamble will pay off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the political equations in Bihar are set for a major upheaval.