The festival of Makar Sankranti, typically marking the start of a new agricultural year, has once again set the stage for political realignments in Bihar. This year, it has heralded a potential alliance between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) and the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), led by former Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras, according to a report by The Statesman.
Pashupati Paras, who has faced “marginalization” within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has accused the BJP of sidelining his RLJP in favour of his nephew and political rival, Chirag Paswan. Discontent over a seat-sharing agreement during the Lok Sabha elections led Paras to resign from the NDA government, claiming injustice.
Speculation about Paras joining the Grand Alliance gained traction after RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav attended Paras’s Makar Sankranti feast. When questioned by journalists about the RLJP joining the Mahagathbandhan, Lalu’s unequivocal “yes” reinforced the possibility of a new political equation in Bihar ahead of the 2025 assembly elections.
Paras echoed this sentiment, expressing dissatisfaction with the NDA and indicating he is open to new partnerships. “The NDA does not consider me a part of the alliance. I am keeping my options open for the upcoming assembly elections,” Paras told the media.
The RLJP’s potential shift to the Grand Alliance could significantly alter Bihar’s political dynamics, as the Grand Alliance continues to expand its base to challenge the BJP-led coalition. The timing of the meeting between Lalu Yadav and Paras has heightened speculation amidst ongoing political upheaval in the state.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s brief appearance at the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) office on Tuesday, where Chirag Paswan was notably absent, has also raised eyebrows. Nitish’s quick departure after paying tribute to the late Ram Vilas Paswan is seen by many as an indicator that the rift between Nitish and Chirag—stemming from the latter’s role in JD(U)’s poor performance in the 2020 assembly elections—remains unresolved.
Political analysts view these developments as signs of shifting alliances that could reshape the electoral landscape in Bihar. If the RLJP formally joins the Mahagathbandhan, it could consolidate anti-NDA votes and pose a stronger challenge to the BJP-led coalition in the 2025 assembly elections. Meanwhile, the apparent estrangement between Nitish Kumar and Chirag Paswan may further complicate the BJP’s prospects in the state.
