On June 9, Chirag Paswan, the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in Bihar, was sworn in as a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet. This significant milestone in his political career is a testament to his remarkable ascent, which has been as eventful as his brief stint in Bollywood.
Elected from the Hajipur Lok Sabha seat, Paswan secured a resounding victory with 6.14 lakh votes, defeating his closest RJD rival by over 1.7 lakh votes. This victory is particularly symbolic as Hajipur was represented eight times by his late father, Ram Vilas Paswan, Bihar’s tallest Dalit leader. Under Chirag’s leadership, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) showcased a stellar performance, winning all five Lok Sabha seats it contested in Bihar.
Chirag Paswan’s political saga began over a decade ago after he starred in the 2011 movie Miley Naa Miley Hum opposite actor-turned-MP Kangana Ranaut. Despite the film’s poor box office performance, Chirag transitioned to politics in 2012 under the guidance of his father. He made his Lok Sabha debut from Jamui in 2014, retaining the seat in 2019. Following Ram Vilas Paswan’s death in 2020, a familial and political rift emerged between Chirag and his uncle, Pashupati Kumar Paras, leading to a split in the LJP.
Chirag Paswan’s leadership was tested in the 2020 Bihar Assembly polls when he decided to contest independently of the NDA. His strategic move to field candidates in JD(U) constituencies had a significant impact on the Nitish Kumar-led party’s performance, reducing their seat count from over 70 in 2015 to just 43 in 2020. This bold and calculated move solidified Chirag’s position as a formidable Dalit leader in Bihar.
In 2021, a political and familial rift between Chirag and his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras led to a split in the LJP. Paras took five of the six LJP MPs with him, leaving Chirag’s faction with just one and no MLAs. Initially, the BJP sided with Paras, appointing him as a Union minister. Chirag was left out of the NDA and his party symbol was awarded to his uncle’s faction. However, Chirag’s loyalty to Narendra Modi and his extensive public outreach campaign, the ‘Ashirwad Yatra,’ garnered massive support across Bihar. Recognising his growing influence, the BJP welcomed him back into the NDA fold in 2023.
Chirag’s faction secured all five Bihar Lok Sabha seats, including Hajipur, in the seat-sharing talks for the Lok Sabha polls, sidelining Paras. Chirag contested from Hajipur, a prestigious battle he won decisively, solidifying his claim as the true heir to his father’s political legacy.
With his induction into the Modi 3.0 cabinet, Chirag Paswan is poised to expand his influence beyond Bihar and step onto the national stage. This victory marks a remarkable turnaround for Paswan, once an aspiring movie star, now a Union minister ready to carry forward his father’s legacy while carving out his own path in Indian politics.
Chirag was born in 1983 and 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, though he dropped out in the third semester. His brief film career and subsequent political rise have been extraordinary. As per the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, Chirag Paswan’s net worth stands at Rs 2.68 crore, including movable assets worth Rs 1.66 crore and immovable assets worth Rs 1.02 crore.
