As the countdown to the Bihar Assembly elections intensifies, tensions within the state’s ruling alliance have reached a new high. Chirag Paswan, president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and a Union Minister, has launched a scathing attack on the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government, voicing deep regret over supporting an administration he claims is failing to curb crime incidents across the state.
LJP Chief’s Criticism: “Bihar Government Has Collapsed on Law and Order”
Addressing reporters in Patna, Chirag Paswan did not mince words. “I feel sad to support a government that is failing to control the law and order situation,” Paswan said, citing daily reports of murder, robbery, kidnapping, and rape. He painted a grim picture: “The administration in Bihar is totally incapable of stopping incidents of crime. The situation has become frightening—if this continues, things will get worse for the people of Bihar.”
These remarks come in the wake of several shocking incidents, including the gang rape of a woman in a moving ambulance in Gaya and a high-profile hospital shooting in Patna, where a criminal out on parole was gunned down by five armed men. Paswan warned that such lawlessness indicates the administration has “bowed down in front of criminals” and accused the Nitish Kumar government of either attempting to cover up the situation or lacking the resolve to address it.
Rising Political Friction Within the NDA
As a member of the NDA coalition, Paswan’s Lok Jan Shakti Party is a significant part of the NDA in Bihar. Although his growing criticisms, particularly the use of the statement “I feel sad I am supporting this government,” suggest a coalition that is beginning to fracture. Political experts view Paswan’s criticisms not only as an expression of authentic frustration but also as a desperate attempt to make himself and his party relevant in this highly competitive election season.
He went on to mention political conspiracy theories as well. Some theorize that the increase in crime could be an effort to malign the image of the state government during an election year. But he added, “Even then, it is the responsibility of the administration to control it. How do you let these criminals operate freely during your regime?”
Crime Cases Dominate the Headlines
The problem surrounding the increasing rate of criminal activities has also emerged as a focal point of concern in the political debate of Bihar. Starting from the sensational Gaya rape case to the rampant murder, robbery, and gang violence in Patna, Vaishali, and Gaya, people’s sense of safety has dramatically declined. Paswan was insistent that only moving junior police officers is not going to bring any change. There is also the matter of accountability involving the higher brass, and tangible steps are needed to ensure safety.
He criticized the administration for being wholly ineffective and for the comments made by high-ranking police officials that seemed to deflect blame towards ordinary folk, like farmers, which he termed as “an insult to the food providers of the country.”
Implications for Nitish Kumar and the Bihar Government
With all the statements made by Paswan, they were severely targeted towards the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his party Janata Dal (United). This was especially the case due to the RJD having the upper hand in the law and order situation and the approaching elections. The distance and criticism focused on the LJP show a growing lack of confidence in the ruling coalition.
These allegations directly hit the governance model for Kumar, who used to take pride in bringing law and order to a state plagued by ‘jungle raj’ politics. Paswan’s demands can clearly be understood as “Ensure public order and effective governance, or the people’s trust will be lost, along with crucial alliance support.”
