LJP national president Chirag Paswan launched a sharp critique of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Friday, asserting that the party has historically avoided selecting a Muslim chief ministerial candidate and continues to do so in 2025. Speaking at a political gathering in Patna, Paswan highlighted what he called the RJD’s “pattern of exclusion” despite public claims of promoting secularism and minority representation.
Paswan referenced the 2005 Bihar Assembly elections, arguing that RJD’s refusal to consider a Muslim leader for the top post reflected a longstanding bias. “Even in 2005, RJD was not ready for a Muslim chief minister, and it is still the same story in 2025,” he said. He suggested that the party’s politics often revolves around appeasement rather than genuine inclusion, which he claimed undermines the democratic process and erodes trust among minority communities.
The LJP leader further criticised RJD’s approach to coalition politics, claiming the party prioritises political convenience over merit or representation. Paswan emphasised that political parties must take proactive steps to include minority leaders in decision-making and leadership roles to reflect the demographic diversity of Bihar. “Leadership should not just be symbolic; it must be meaningful and inclusive,” he added.
Paswan’s comments come amid ongoing discussions in Bihar’s political circles regarding alliances, leadership positions, and representation ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. He urged all parties, including RJD, JD(U), BJP, and others, to ensure that leadership selection considers the aspirations and rights of minority communities.
The former MP also stressed that Bihar’s political landscape should evolve beyond identity politics that merely serve short-term vote banks. “We need genuine leadership development for minorities, women, and other marginalized groups to strengthen democracy,” Paswan said, urging political parties to reform internal structures and promote equitable representation.
While RJD has traditionally enjoyed strong support among certain caste and religious groups, Paswan accused the party of failing to extend proportional representation at the highest levels of leadership. He argued that this exclusion is counterproductive and could alienate key sections of the electorate.
Political analysts suggest that Paswan’s statements are intended to pressure RJD to adopt more inclusive leadership policies while reinforcing LJP’s positioning as a party advocating for minority representation and social justice. This critique may also resonate with voters seeking broader inclusivity in Bihar’s political leadership, particularly amid coalition negotiations and electoral strategy discussions.
Paswan concluded by asserting that Bihar’s future depends on fair representation, accountability, and transparent leadership selection processes. He reiterated his call for parties to break away from outdated patterns of exclusion and ensure that all communities are adequately represented in the corridors of power.
