Ram Vilas Paswan backs son Chirag in LJP’s political decisions related to Bihar

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 11

Seasoned politician and LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan, whose son Chirag Paswan is currently engaged in a bitter battle for political space with NDA partner JD-U in the poll-bound Bihar, on Friday said he was strongly backing Chirag’s any decision related to the party in the state.

In a set of rather sentimental tweets, Paswan, who also holds the important Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs in the Narendra Modi government, revealed that despite being ill during the COVID crisis, he refused to be hospitalised because of his responsibilities.

Confirming media reports of his ill health, Paswan said his health started to deteriorate but to ensure that the work does not suffer, he did not get hospitalised. “I continuously served the country and made every effort to ensure food reaches on time everywhere,” he said.

Paswan said he finally got admitted at a hospital upon Chirag’s insistence. “I am happy that my son Chirag is with me at this time and is doing everything possible to take care of me along with also fulfilling his responsibilities towards the party,” Paswan said.

Backing his son on any call he decides to take for the betterment of the party, Paswan, who is also called the ‘mausam visheshagya’ as far as politics go, said: “I stand firmly with every decision of his. I am confident that with his youthful thinking Chirag will take the party and Bihar to new heights.”

Notably, it was at Chirag’s insistence that the LJP had joined hands with the BJP ahead of the 2014 elections and Paswan has said this several times in the past. However, the LJP is now threatening to walk out of Bihar NDA due to Chirag’s differences with Chief Minister and JD-U leader Nitish Kumar, who has also been projected as the face of the alliance by the BJP.

A recent meeting of LJP’s Parliamentary Board saw many members expressing resentment against Nitish Kumar’s leadership. Another meeting of the party’s leaders is scheduled for September 15, where a decision on the alliance is expected.