Chirag Paswan's LJP (Ram Vilas) eyes Uttar Pradesh polls

On Sunday, LJP (Ram Vilas) leader and Union minister Chirag Paswan will be in Lucknow to address party workers and supporters on the birth anniversary of Ram Vilas Paswan. For the first time, Chirag Paswan is commemorating the occasion in Lucknow, whereas last year's event was held in Bihar's Hajipur.

This assumes significance as LJP (RV) is planning to contest the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections as part of the NDA. The party has been quite active in the state over the past six months. Party MP Arun Bharti has been appointed election in-charge for Uttar Pradesh. "We have organised more than 80 Dalit Panchayats across different districts of the state. We are here to get our share of the electorate," LJP spokesperson Dhirendra Kumar Munna told ET. "The Pasi-Paswan community usually drifts away from the BJP. We are here to consolidate that 9.5% voter base in favour of the NDA through our party."

Chirag Paswan is looking to expand his party's footprint beyond Bihar. The party currently has 19 MLAs in Bihar, two in Nagaland and one in Jharkhand. The BJP already has three allies in UP - Apna Dal, SBSP and the Nishad Party.