Chirag Paswan Denies Bihar CM Ambitions, Backs NDA

Chirag Paswan Says No to Bihar CM Race—For Now. Here’s Why It Matters

You know how Bihar politics works—it’s never just about what’s being said, but what’s not being said. So when Chirag Paswan came out swinging this week, denying any interest in the Chief Minister’s chair, you better believe there’s more to it. “My priority? NDA’s win, not my seat,” he said flat out. Classic political speak, right? But here’s the thing—when someone insists this hard that they don’t want something, you’ve got to wonder.

The Art of Saying No (While Keeping Options Open)

Let’s be real—no politician wakes up thinking, “You know what I’d love? To not be in charge.” But Paswan’s playing the long game. By publicly backing Nitish Kumar—again—he’s doing two things at once: keeping the NDA’s fragile unity intact (for now) while making sure his own Dalit voter base knows he’s still their guy. Smart move? Absolutely. But here’s the kicker—he didn’t actually rule out anything after the elections. See how that works?

And the timing? Couldn’t be better. With opposition parties like RJD already sharpening their knives—”forced unity!” they’re calling it—Paswan’s statement cuts off their favorite attack line before they could even use it. Almost like he planned it that way.

Why Nitish Kumar Might Be Sleeping Uneasily

Here’s where it gets interesting. On paper, Paswan’s all-in for Kumar. But anyone who’s watched Bihar politics for more than five minutes knows this dance. Remember 2020? When Paswan’s party went solo and wrecked JD(U)’s plans? Yeah. That’s why when he says “full support” today, seasoned folks are reading between the lines.

Think of it like a family wedding where everyone’s smiling for photos but you just know there’s drama brewing in the kitchen. The NDA’s no different. Paswan’s got serious pull in Hajipur and Jamui—regions that could make or break this election. So when he plays the good soldier now, he’s building up political capital. For what? Well, that’s the billion-rupee question.

Bihar vs. Maharashtra: A Study in Contrasts

Compare this to Maharashtra’s political circus—where Eknath Shinde basically staged a coup in broad daylight. Paswan? He’s smoother than that. No messy public fights, no ultimatums. Just that classic Bihar style—keep everything polite while the real negotiations happen off-camera. It’s why Modi’s team loves him. He gets how the game’s played.

But don’t mistake quiet for weakness. The man who took on his own uncle in a bitter family feud didn’t get here by accident. He’s calculating every move—including this “I’m not interested” routine.

The Bottom Line

Here’s the truth: In Bihar politics, today’s “no” often means tomorrow’s “let’s talk.” Paswan’s playing chess while others play checkers. By keeping the NDA united now, he positions himself as the guy who delivered Bihar for Modi—which never hurts when ministries get handed out later.

Will he push for CM if NDA wins big? Maybe not immediately. But if Nitish stumbles? Oh, you’ll see how fast that “no ambition” line changes. That’s how this game works—and honestly, Paswan’s proving he’s one of its best players.

So next time you hear a politician say “I don’t want the top job,” do what Bihar voters do—smile, nod, and wait for the real story to unfold.