NDA will secure 225+ seats, Nitish Kumar a strength not weakness: Chirag Paswan

Chirag Paswan Backs Nitish, Predicts 225-Plus Seats for NDA in Bihar Polls.

With Bihar heading for Assembly elections later this year, LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan has projected a sweeping victory for the NDA, claiming the alliance will win over 225 of 243 seats. In an interview with Aaj Tak, Paswan dismissed speculation of friction over seat-sharing and praised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, calling him a “strong link” in the coalition.

“Nitish Kumar is not the weak link of the NDA but a strong link,” he said, noting that alliance dynamics had shifted since 2020.

Back then, Chirag’s party fought independently, fielding 137 candidates, but managed only one seat while denting JD(U)’s tally to 43 — its worst in two decades. This time, he insisted, there was “no tussle” over seat allocation, despite allies like Jitan Ram Manjhi demanding a large share.

Hints at Contesting Assembly Polls

• Paswan said he was considering entering the Assembly fray.
• “The matter is still in the pipeline. I definitely want to contest,” he revealed.
• While avoiding an open claim to the Chief Minister’s post, he added:
• “There is no vacancy for the CM’s chair today. My focus is on the alliance and the Prime Minister.”

Targets Opposition Bloc

Paswan also took aim at the INDIA bloc, suggesting the Congress had slighted Tejashwi Yadav by not declaring him chief ministerial candidate. “Tejashwi will definitely be hurt by this. Everything is not fine in the grand alliance,” he remarked.

He further warned that an RJD comeback would revive “jungle raj” and raised concerns about “infiltration” influencing elections. The Bihar Assembly polls are expected in November 2025.