chirag-paswan-s-ljp-to-reveal-lok-sabha-poll-candidates-shortly-after-holi

Chirag Paswan, leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), has announced plans to reveal the party's candidates immediately after the Holi festivities.

Paswan, whose party has been allocated five out of Bihar's 40 Lok Sabha seats as part of the NDA alliance, expressed readiness to face any challenges posed by his estranged uncle, Pashupati Kumar Paras.

"We will announce all our candidates in a few days, right after Holi," Paswan stated, evading direct confirmation on whether Veena Devi and Mehboob Ali Kaiser, current MPs from Vaishali and Khagaria respectively, would be accommodated in the party's candidate list.

Both seats, previously contested by the late Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party in 2019, have been assigned to Chirag Paswan's party this time.

Despite rallying behind Paras during the party split in 2021, the MPs have recently expressed regret over their decision and reaffirmed their allegiance to the late party founder's son.

Addressing concerns about Paras's threats, Paswan maintained his resolve, stating, "I am prepared to confront any challenge."

He reiterated his intention to contest from Hajipur, currently held by Paras but formerly represented by his late father on multiple occasions.

Asserting a united front within the NDA, Paswan pressed on the collective goal of securing victory for the alliance in all 40 Bihar constituencies. 

The alliance comprises the BJP, JD(U) led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Hindustani Awam Morcha led by former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi, Rashtriya Lok Morcha led by ex-Union minister Upendra Kushwaha, and Paswan's LJP.

While the BJP and JD(U) have already declared candidates for 17 and 16 seats respectively, Manjhi's party has announced his candidature from Gaya, and Upendra Kushwaha is expected to contest from Karakat.