Chirag Paswan political comeback : Facing a dark tunnel with his uncle walking away with the Lok Janshakti Party’s symbol and MPs, Chirag Paswan has scripted a turnaround that would do Bollywood scriptwriters proud.
From Zero to Hero: Chirag Paswan’s Astounding Political Comeback
Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas) president Chirag Paswan. (HT)
Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party has been sworn in as a member of the new Union cabinet. The representative of the Hajipur Lok Sabha constituency secured a ministerial position in Modi’s 3.0 cabinet. It is a remarkable turnaround for Paswan, once an aspiring movie star, from a potential political non-entity to a Union minister.
The Hajipur seat holds special significance for Paswan given it was represented by his father, the late Ram Vilas Paswan, who founded the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in the year 2000.
Overcoming Political Divisions
Chirag Paswan’s achievement is particularly notable given the previous divisions within his party, led by his uncle Pashupati Paras, which resulted in the loss of the party’s official symbol. This forced Paswan, 41, to float a new political outfit, Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas Paswan), which won all five seats it contested in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls—Hajipur, Jamui, Khagaria, Samastipur, and Vaishali.
Early Political Journey
Chirag Paswan’s political journey began in 2012 when he joined the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). Two years later, in 2014, he contested and won the Lok Sabha elections from the Jamui constituency in Bihar. This seat holds historical significance for Paswan, as his father represented it eight times since his first victory in 1977. During his tenure as an MP, he served on several parliamentary committees and held the position of chairman of LJP’s Central Parliamentary Board.
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Leadership and Alliance Building
In 2019, Paswan was re-elected from the Jamui constituency and later that year, he was elected as the national president of the LJP. Born in 1983, Chirag studied at the National Institute of Open Schooling in Delhi. He pursued a B.Tech in Computer Engineering from the Institute of Engineering and Technology in Jhansi in 2005 but dropped out in the third semester.
Bollywood to Politics
Prior to joining politics, Chirag Paswan had a brief stint in Bollywood. In 2011, he made his debut in the movie “Miley Naa Miley Hum” alongside Kangana Ranaut, another fellow member of Parliament elected in 2024. However, the film did not perform well at the box office, leading Chirag to leave the film industry and pursue a career in politics in 2012.
Chirag’s entry into politics was pivotal for the LJP. He played a crucial role in forming an alliance with the BJP in 2014, convincing his father to rekindle the partnership that had been severed in 2002 following the Gujarat riots. Chirag’s efforts quickly revitalized the LJP, which won six seats in 2014 from zero in 2009. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the LJP won the six seats it contested in an alliance with the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and the BJP.
Personal Wealth and Controversies
As per the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission (EC), MP Chirag Paswan’s net worth stands at ₹2.68 crore, including movable assets worth ₹1.66 crore and immovable assets worth ₹1.02 crore. However, Chirag faced controversy after the demise of his father in 2020, when he clashed with his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras. In 2021, five LJP MPs rallied against Paswan and joined hands with Paras. Later, everything was ironed out, allowing Chirag to refocus on his political career.
Future Prospects
Chirag Paswan’s rise from an aspiring actor to a key political figure and Union minister is a testament to his resilience and strategic acumen. His ability to navigate internal party divisions and forge significant alliances has solidified his position in Indian politics. As he takes on his new role in Modi’s 3.0 cabinet, all eyes will be on Paswan to see how he leverages this opportunity to further his political career and contribute to the country’s development.
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FAQs on Chirag Paswan’s Political Journey
1. Who is Chirag Paswan?
- Chirag Paswan is an Indian politician and the president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas). He is also a member of the Union cabinet in Modi’s 3.0 government.
2. Which constituency does Chirag Paswan represent?
- Chirag Paswan represents the Hajipur Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar.
3. What is significant about the Hajipur seat for Chirag Paswan?
- The Hajipur seat holds special significance for Chirag Paswan as it was previously represented by his father, the late Ram Vilas Paswan.
4. When did Chirag Paswan start his political career?
- Chirag Paswan started his political career in 2012 when he joined the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).
5. What role did Chirag Paswan play in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections?
- In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Chirag Paswan contested and won from the Jamui constituency in Bihar.
6. What is the Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas Paswan)?
- The Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas Paswan) is a political outfit founded by Chirag Paswan after internal divisions within the original Lok Janshakti Party.
7. How many seats did the Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas Paswan) win in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?
- The Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas Paswan) won all five seats it contested in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
8. What are some key positions held by Chirag Paswan in his political career?
- Chirag Paswan has served on several parliamentary committees and was the chairman of LJP’s Central Parliamentary Board. He is also a member of the Union cabinet in Modi’s 3.0 government.
9. What was Chirag Paswan’s educational background?
- Chirag Paswan studied at the National Institute of Open Schooling in Delhi and pursued a B.Tech in Computer Engineering from the Institute of Engineering and Technology in Jhansi but dropped out in the third semester.
10. Did Chirag Paswan have a career in Bollywood?
- Yes, Chirag Paswan had a brief stint in Bollywood, debuting in the movie “Miley Naa Miley Hum” in 2011, before transitioning to politics.
11. How did Chirag Paswan contribute to the LJP’s alliance with the BJP?
- Chirag Paswan played a crucial role in forming an alliance with the BJP in 2014, which revitalized the LJP and led to significant electoral success.
12. What were the outcomes of the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections for the LJP?
- In both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the LJP won six seats each, thanks to its alliance with the BJP and Janata Dal-United (JD-U).
13. What controversies did Chirag Paswan face after his father’s demise?
- After his father’s demise, Chirag Paswan clashed with his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras, leading to internal party divisions and the formation of his own political outfit.
14. What is Chirag Paswan’s net worth?
- As per the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, Chirag Paswan’s net worth is ₹2.68 crore, including movable assets worth ₹1.66 crore and immovable assets worth ₹1.02 crore.
15. How did Chirag Paswan become a member of the Union cabinet?
- Chirag Paswan became a member of the Union cabinet in Modi’s 3.0 government following his political success and significant influence in his constituency.
16. What challenges did Chirag Paswan face within his party?
- Chirag Paswan faced challenges within his party due to divisions led by his uncle Pashupati Paras, which resulted in the loss of the party’s official symbol.
17. How did Chirag Paswan’s efforts impact the LJP’s performance in elections?
- Chirag Paswan’s strategic alliances and leadership revitalized the LJP, leading to significant electoral victories in 2014 and 2019.
18. What role did Chirag Paswan’s family play in his political journey?
- Chirag Paswan’s father, Ram Vilas Paswan, was a significant influence, having founded the LJP and represented key constituencies that Chirag later contested and won.
19. What are some key achievements of Chirag Paswan in politics?
- Key achievements of Chirag Paswan include winning multiple Lok Sabha elections, forming strategic alliances, and revitalizing the LJP, leading to his current position in the Union cabinet.
20. What future prospects does Chirag Paswan have in Indian politics?
- With his current ministerial role and successful political strategies, Chirag Paswan is poised for continued influence and leadership in Indian politics.
