Recent comments against him from the BJP leaders aside, the LJP chairman radiates confidence ahead of the elections.
In a telephone interview, LJP President Chirag Paswan speaks with The Hindu on the political unrest following the death of his father Ram Vilas Paswan and the comments of the BJP leaders against him.
This is the first election in which your father Ram Vilas Paswan is not with you and a critical election for the LJP. Your thoughts.
The last two weeks have been very difficult for me. Aside from going from the hospital to the party gatherings, what bothered me was the fact that I couldn’t talk to my father. For me, it was a matter of routine to share what happened during the day at night. He was my best friend … I had that kind of comfortable relationship with him, where I could speak with all my heart.
In fact, I would say that the worst day was when we made the decision to go alone in the elections. My father was already hooked up to the fan. I wanted to tell him, seek his advice, but he was in no condition to speak to me. My mother told me to go, take her hand and say what I had to say. I spent about 3-4 hours in that ICU cubicle holding his hand, talking to him and that gave me a lot of comfort.
In the past, whenever the LJP and JD (U) met face to face, their party had performed poorly. Have you not had more than you can chew?
Not really, my confidence comes from my father, he used to pressure me and often instigate me. He would say that if he was able to do it only in 2005, why should I at a young age be reluctant to make bold decisions? And you must remember that we have always fought against the JD (U), be it in the elections to the Assembly of 2005, 2010 or 2015. In fact, in 2017, overnight, [Nitish Kumar] it became part of the NDA and they united us. It has always worked against us. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, despite being on the same side of the alliance, the JD (U) did everything possible to sabotage my elections from Jamui.
Also read: Haven’t spoken to Nitish Kumar in almost a year – LJP President Chirag Paswan
My confidence also comes from the hard work that I have put in over the past years and brought about organizational changes in the party together with my father. It also comes from the vision document ‘Bihar First and Bihari First’, which we came up with after my yatra across the state. We spoke to over four lakhs of people before writing this document. My confidence comes from the anger people feel for Nitish Kumar. And I will make sure that Nitish Kumar does not become the Chief Minister of Bihar ever again in the future.
Also read: Nitish mistreated my father, Chirag Paswan tells Nadda
He has been claiming that his campaign is to install a BJP-LJP government, but BJP ministers and leaders have repeatedly repudiated him. Your comments?
I have no problem with your comments. I know my Chief Minister, I know his style of work. He does not speak for himself, but makes others speak on his behalf. All these comments are due to NitishHeePressure on the BJP. If the reports are correct, he did not even attend the NDA press conference until he obtained a written guarantee that the LJP will not be allowed to use the photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the campaign. These words come from him.
Read also: Bihar Assembly Elections | I have no grudges, but a lot of pain inside, says Rajendra Singh.
And I will give the leaders of the BJP their due, since, technically, they are in alliance with the JD (U) and not with us in the State. In fact, I would step forward and say that I am sure NitishHee apply pressure on PM ModiHee too. I will have no problems if political compulsions force ModiHee to make adverse comments about me during the campaign. He has cared for me like a father in these difficult times. I wouldn’t want to put it in dharam sankat. I have a much deeper and more personal relationship with Modi.Hee.
His uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras, speaking to a television channel, said that he admires Nitish Kumar’s working style. This is at odds with his own campaign.
Since then, he has clarified his comments. There is no difference of opinion between us.
So, of the 143 seats, how many is the LJP expected to win?
I am not an astrologer and I would not like to challenge the intelligence of the Bihari voters by making such predictions. All I can say is that the current Chief Minister will not return to power and we will see a BJP-LJP government in Bihar.
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