Ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, there’s a rift within the NDA regarding seat distribution. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan stated in an interview that he is like salt in a dish. He further added that his party influences 20,000 to 25,000 votes in every seat. This statement from Chirag Paswan carries a significant message. Through this statement, Chirag is emphasizing his importance to the NDA and the state government. Reports suggest that Chirag desires to contest on 40 seats, but the BJP is unwilling to offer more than 25. By likening himself to salt, Union Minister Chirag Paswan is conveying that he is as essential as salt in any dish. He implies that just as too little or too much salt can ruin a dish, the NDA could face trouble if his demands regarding seats are not met. In the 2020 assembly elections, Chirag contested alone, fielding candidates in 135 seats and winning only one. However, his fortunes changed in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. His party contested on 5 seats and won all of them. This performance boosted Chirag’s confidence. The LJP’s vote percentage also saw a 1 percent increase.
