New Delhi: Has Chirag Paswan established the stage for his “targeted” quarrel with Nitish Kumar before the assembly elections? In the 2020 assembly elections, Chirag played an important role in making Nitish Kumar’s JD (U) a junior partner in the ruling NDA.Five years later, as an election approach, he is back to target the Chief Minister of Bihar, this time on the deteriorating law and order situation in the backdrop of several high-profile killings in the state.There is a look at some statements here which Chirag has targeted its government in the state on law and order:
- “Law and order in the state has become a case of” serious anxiety “because the murders are getting daily, the morale of criminals is” Akash-Ug “and the functioning of the police and the overall administration is the reason.”
- “How many Biharis will be murdered? It is beyond understanding what is the responsibility of Bihar Police?”
- “It is a matter of concern that the way the crime has increased and the law and order have collapsed in Bihar. If such an incident has happened in the posh area of Patna, we can only imagine what is happening in the villages. It is worrying to see such incidents that are known for good governance. Yet there will be a chance that one thing needs to be determined.”
- “Such incidents increase our concerns … If the family (Gopal Khemka) is scared, it is appropriate. It is a family that has faced it even before. Did the local administration provide security to the family? It was the responsibility of the administration.”
Obviously, a no-hold-worker attack on Bihar Police, which works under the direct watch of CM Nitish Kumar, as he also holds home portfolio.The attack of the LJP chief has been fully justified, in view of the recent murder incidents-the murder of a prominent businessman Gopal Khemka, who was shot in a wider day light by a bike-borne attacker outside his residence in Patna and then caught on CCTV, a convict in a hospital.But the only catch is: Chirag Paswan is part of the NDA – which includes BJP and has ruled Bihar in the last 20 years. The current Nitish government has two Deputy Chief Minister of BJP.So, who is the lamp targeted? The NDA government in the state, or only Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, with whom he share a bitter, uncomfortable relationship? Well, the LJP (RV) chiefs are definitely not attacking the BJP, as their latest tweets on deteriorating law and order in Bihar were a few hours after holding a meeting with BJP chief JP Nadda.In 2020, when Chirag went out of the NDA before the assembly elections to share the seat, he maintained his relations with the BJP targeting Nitish Kumar. He then fielded candidates strategically to divide NDA votes and ensure defeat of JD (U) candidates in several assembly seats.Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) took 137 seats in 2020, but in most constituencies where Nitish Kumar’s JD (U) was fighting and not BJP. The count of JD (U) seat fell from 71 in 2015 to 43 in 2020. The party lost 72 seats of a total of 115. Of these, 27, LJP’s vote share exceeded the margin of defeat. In 64 seats where the party failed to win, LJP’s vote tally crossed the winning margin, effectively changed the final result.This time, Chirag is a Union Minister and a part of the NDA at the Center, but he is still playing the game of guessing. Announcing his decision to contest elections, he so far slammed the lack of development in the state and announced that he was contesting elections to improve the condition of the people of Bihar. Interestingly, this is also the claim of opposition parties.Chirag had earlier announced that he would be contesting all 243 seats to ensure that the NDA again wins and form the government again. Now, there is a grip here. Perhaps, Chirag, who currently has no member of the party in the state assembly, is preparing the land to ensure that his party gets a good number of seats for the competition. But this can be difficult because JD (U) considers himself a prominent player and is unlikely to quit his claims despite the party’s poor show in 2020.Therefore, if the Chirag is not satisfied with sharing the seat, it can be again, with the BJP probably, with silent approval, decides to contest the elections alone even while becoming a part of the NDA at the center. Their purpose will probably be to ensure that the BJP is not electorally suffering, while Nitish’s brunt.If this actually happens, Nitish will be left in Lurch. Already struggling with negative reports around his health, Nitish, who has dominated politics in Bihar for the last 20 years, is one of the most challenging elections. He has already taken oath repeatedly that he will not make any other flip-flop, something that gave him a suspicious difference of being called “Paltu Ram”.CM Nitish is likely to beware of the plans of Chirag. The Chief Minister of Bihar knows that if his party’s tally moves forward, it will end the road for him, especially when it comes to leading the NDA in the state. And Mental naturally passed the BJP.
