Chirag Paswan’s Political Resurgence: From Bollywood Aspirant to Union Minister
Chirag Paswan, representing the Hajipur Lok Sabha constituency, has secured a ministerial position in Modi’s 3.0 cabinet. This marks a significant turnaround for Paswan, a former aspiring movie star who transitioned from potential obscurity to becoming a Union minister. The Hajipur seat is particularly meaningful, as it was once held by his father, the late Ram Vilas Paswan, founder of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).
Despite internal party divisions led by his uncle Pashupati Paras, which resulted in the loss of the party’s symbol, Paswan, 41, established the Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas Paswan). This new outfit won all five seats it contested in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Paswan’s political career began in 2012 when he joined the LJP. By 2014, he won the Lok Sabha seat from Jamui, a constituency his father represented eight times since 1977. Re-elected in 2019, Paswan became the national president of the LJP.
Born in 1983, Chirag studied at the National Institute of Open Schooling in Delhi and pursued a B.Tech in Computer Engineering before dropping out. He briefly ventured into Bollywood with the 2011 film “Miley Naa Miley Hum,” before entering politics.
Chirag was instrumental in reviving the LJP by forming an alliance with the BJP in 2014, leading to the party’s success in subsequent elections. Despite controversies following his father’s death in 2020 and disputes with his uncle, Paswan’s political acumen has now culminated in a significant ministerial role. His net worth, as per his affidavit to the Election Commission, stands at ₹2.68 crore.
