Chirag Paswan backs stronger NDA in Uttar Pradesh, says LJP keen to contest polls

Lucknow: Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan on Sunday said his party will celebrate the birth anniversary of its founder Ram Vilas Paswan in Lucknow this year as part of its efforts to strengthen the organisation in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Assembly elections.

Addressing reporters, Paswan said the party was working to expand its organisational base across the country while carrying forward the ideals of the late Ram Vilas Paswan.

Also Read: Yogi Adityanath's caste recalibration: BJP expands cabinet to reclaim UP’s social coalition before 2027 polls


"The party has decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of our founder, my leader and my father, the late Ram Vilas Paswan, in Lucknow this year.

With this programme, we aim to infuse new energy into the organisation and strengthen the party in Uttar Pradesh," he said.

He said the LJP (Ram Vilas) had already established a strong presence in Bihar and had legislators in Jharkhand and Nagaland, while continuing to expand its footprint in several northeastern states.

"With the same vision, we have set a target of strengthening the organisation in Uttar Pradesh. In the coming days, several programmes will be organised in different districts of the state under the leadership of the state unit," Paswan said.

On whether the party would contest the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and its alliance strategy, Paswan said the party was keen to enter the electoral fray, but decisions on seat-sharing and the alliance would be taken by the state unit and approved by the central parliamentary board.

"I honestly admit that the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) intends to contest the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The nature of the alliance and the number of seats we will contest will be decided by the state unit, whose proposal will be sent to the central parliamentary board for final approval," he said.

Also Read: BJP eyes repeat of 2017 Uttar Pradesh poll performance, begins strategy talks for 2027

"We are part of the NDA at the Centre and in Bihar, and certainly we want to strengthen the alliance in Uttar Pradesh as well. However, the final decision rests with the party's state unit and the central parliamentary board," he added.

Responding to a question about an alleged online threat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Paswan said the matter should be treated with utmost seriousness.

"This is a matter of concern and should be taken very seriously. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India's stature and his popularity have grown globally. Naturally, some people may harbour ill intentions against him. Whoever is behind such threats will face strict action," he said.

On the alleged Ram temple donation theft case, Paswan termed the issue one of corruption linked to public faith and said politics should not be played over matters concerning religious sentiments.

"This is an issue related to corruption that has also hurt the sentiments of millions of devotees. I myself am a devotee of Lord Ram. Every person who has faith in Lord Ram is concerned about this matter. There should be no politics over issues of faith," he said.

He said both the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government were ensuring a fair investigation.

"As the investigation progresses, whoever is found guilty, no matter how senior the officer or official, will face strict action. The guilty will receive the harshest punishment so that nobody dares to play with the faith of Ram devotees again," Paswan said.

Rejecting opposition allegations that influential people were being shielded, the Union minister said no one would be spared.

"I once again assure you that no one will be protected. Protecting the guilty would amount to compromising with people's faith. The government will not take any step that undermines the sentiments of Ram devotees.

Every individual responsible will be identified, held accountable and punished," he said.

Earlier on Sunday, BJP national president Nitin Nabin said the BJP will work with NDA allies for the 2027 assembly polls although the party was capable of contesting elections on its own strength.

He expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would return to power in Uttar Pradesh with a thumping majority in the 2027 elections.

"The Bharatiya Janata Party is capable of fighting elections. We will ensure that all NDA constituents continue to work together to make Uttar Pradesh an 'Uttam Pradesh'," he said.