Thirty-three year old Chirag Paswan, chairman of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) has been constantly shuttling between the national capital and state capital of Bihar. While in Delhi, he is busy striking gold with the BJP for the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls and once back in Patna, the young leader gets busy pacifying the party leaders who have not yet been given tickets. Amidst the ongoing political turmoil, the Member of Parliament from Jamui, took time out to speak to Joydeep R. Ray of The Free Press Journal. Touching upon several issues LJP’s election strategy, so called simmering trouble between BJP and LJP, one-man trouble called Jitan Ram Manjhi to others. Excerpts:
Q: Are you walking out of NDA?
Did I say it? Look, it is all within the family considering NDA a huge family where parties from different regions with different visions have flocked together. There can be differences of opinion but if you have a fight with your wife, do you walk out from the marriage—you don’t, right? So now you know.
Q: But then if a marriage turns very sour, you need to walk out right before it becomes murkier. You are unhappy with number of seats, choice of constituencies and there are few other issues, as it seems.
You try to stay back in the relationship and LJP has been trying to be in the same alliance. Indeed there are certain issues but efforts are being made to sort those out bringing in all the stake-holders together.
Q: Senior leader and part of Paswan family Anil Kumar Sadhu claims he was deprived of a ticket and may even field candidates against LJP names. So the trouble is not only within NDA but also within your own party and family, rather. How are you going to handle all these at a time while elections are fast approaching?
You can’t make everyone happy at the same time, no matter how much you try. We can’t accommodate all the aspiring candidates, some of them will have to compromise considering we have been given very less number of seats. While we are taking up certain issues with BJP asking it to address, we are also talking to our own people. Believe me, before the campaigns end, all will come under control. About Anilji, it is more of a family matter and senior are talking to him.
Q: Happy with 40 seats?
(smiles)..kind of. You know there is no end to wishes (smiles again).
Q: In 2004 when you were in college may be, LJP fought elections in alliance with RJD and Congress. In 2005, LJP fought against RJD but in alliance with Congress. Ten years later, you are fighting against both RJD and Congress. How will convince the voters?
We are fighting on the issues of development. During the years of rule by Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav, our state hardly has witnessed any development. If they are back to power, the future of Bihar will further be in crisis. NDA is the only alternate that our wise voters have and I am sure, they will not commit mistake by voting in favour of the RJD-JDU alliance.
Q: How do you see HAM’s prospect in this election?
They are our political friends. They too will score and that will help NDA to take over from Nitishji.
Q: Opinion polls so far talk about a neck to neck fight. What are your party sources say?
We will run the government in Bihar for next 10 years and you come back to me on the counting day, I will treat you with sweets.
Q: What is your take on dynasty politics? LJP has given tickets to at least three members of Paswan family so far.
When we talk about politics of development, it is better to avoid family factors in it. I am not a subscriber of dynasty politics.
Q: What are your aspirations in politics? Chirag Paswan, Chief Minister of Bihar some day?
(smiles..pauses)…no, not at all. Something remarkable has to be done for the country and obviously Bihar. I am still learning certain things in politics and so no such aspiration being a new entrant. I am enjoying my role in the party and also as an MP.
Q: After Miley Naa Miley Hum, have you decided to stay away from Bollywood? Or any plan to shoot a sequel of the film?
I don’t think I can really be a typical Bollywood boy. (smiles)…well, movies attract me a lot and politics too. I had to make a choice. You know I had chosen for the latter and I am happy in this role. I am contributing lots in social changes as an MP and I wish to continue doing the same.
Q: What could have been the name of your next film if that was shot in 2015?
May be, Miley Sur Mera Tumhara!
