Chirag Paswan: LJP Chief's Journey From Bollywood To Bihar Polls

Fourteen years ago, a young man from Bihar made his big screen debut with a film opposite Kangana Ranaut. Miley Naa Miley Hum might have proven to be his only Bollywood venture, but Chirag Paswan, the son of former Union Minister and political stalwart Ram Vilas Paswan, is not to be taken lightly ahead of the Bihar elections.

After doing a 5/5 during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Chirag Paswan, also a Union Minister in the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, is eyeing at least 40 seats for his Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in the forthcoming polls. Apart from that, Paswan announced that he would contest polls from a general, and not a reserved, seat.

Who Is Chirag Paswan?

Chirag Paswan was born on October 31, 1982, to Ram Vilas Paswan. He did his early education from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) in Delhi. He then enrolled in a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Engineering at the Institute of Engineering and Technology in Jhansi. In his third semester, Chirag dropped out of college for a career in cinema and eventually in politics.

Chirag Paswan moved quickly from acting to politics in 2012. He joined the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), following in the footsteps of his father Ram Vilas Paswan, the party's founder. Chirag's political skills became apparent when he won the Jamui Lok Sabha seat in 2014.

By 2019, he had become the national president of LJP, steering the party through internal disputes and political rivalries, and retaining his seat. 

Chirag's biggest challenge came after his father's death in 2020. It was about the claim to Ram Vilas Paswan's political legacy. Who deserved it more -  his son or brother, Pashupati Kumar Paras? A year later, the cracks were visible. Paras was elected as the leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) parliamentary leader in the Lok Sabha. Five MPs had switched loyalties, leaving Chirag to fight a lone battle.

It wouldn't take too long for Chirag, who floated his own party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), to prove he had it in him to take on his uncle. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, LJP (Ram Vilas) won five out of five seats.

Chirag Paswan was sworn in as the Cabinet Minister for the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in the Modi 3.0. The portfolio carries special significance, as it was earlier held by his late father, Ram Vilas Paswan.

Over the years, Chirag has cultivated a reputation for strong oratory and direct communication with younger voters. With NDA and INDIA Alliance locked in an intense political battle, could Chirag Paswan emerge as a kingmaker? It will be clear in less than two months.