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Union Minister Chirag Paswan claims several opposition MLAs in Bihar are reaching out to the NDA following the recent election setback.
Chirag Paswan’s gains are not only likely to reshape his party’s role in the NDA but also highlight the changing dynamics of Bihar politics. (PTI)
Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP Chirag Paswan has claimed that several MLAs from Bihar’s opposition Mahagathbandhan are in contact with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Speaking to reporters in Patna, Paswan suggested that discontent within the opposition ranks had prompted legislators to explore the possibility of aligning with the NDA.
Paswan made the remarks when questioned about rumours that at least four Congress MLAs, from a party that secured only six seats in the recent assembly elections, were allegedly in touch with the JD(U) led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
“I cannot say about any specific party, but many opposition MLAs are in touch with the NDA. They feel that it is only in this coalition, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that they can serve the people,” he said.
Congress rejects defection rumours
State Congress president Rajesh Ram dismissed Paswan’s comments as a familiar political tactic. Ram, who himself lost in the recent polls, said such narratives surface after every election. “We heard similar things in 2020, but all our 19 MLAs remained with the party. This talk is nothing new,” he said, expressing confidence that the party’s legislators would not defect.
Despite the pushback, Paswan reiterated that the opposition had failed to perform constructively, both in the state assembly and in Parliament. “Their conduct in every session reflects their approach. They neither contribute nor allow the government to work. We expect similar behaviour in the session beginning tomorrow, which coincides with the opening of the Bihar assembly session,” he added.
NDA’s victory in Bihar
Paswan’s remarks come in the wake of NDA’s sweeping triumph in the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections. The alliance secured 202 of the 243 seats, giving Nitish Kumar a fifth consecutive term and marking his record tenth oath as chief minister.
The BJP achieved its strongest-ever performance in a Bihar assembly poll, winning 93 seats with a vote share of around 20.5 per cent. The JD(U) followed closely with 83 seats, recording its best result since 2010 with a 19 per cent vote share.
By contrast, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) suffered a major setback, winning only 25 seats, its weakest performance in over a decade. The broader Mahagathbandhan, including Congress and its allies, secured only 35 seats. Several smaller parties, including LJP (Ram Vilas) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha, also gained representation.
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public…Read More
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public… Read More
Delhi, India, India
December 01, 2025, 12:01 IST
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