Chirag Paswan Signals Leadership Intent With “Abki Baari, Yuva Bihari” Campaign

As Bihar braces for its assembly elections in November 2025, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan has reignited subtle ambitions for the state's top job through a provocative social media campaign. The party's post on X late on October 6, featuring the slogan "Abki Baari, Yuva Bihari"—aplay on the BJP's "Abki Baar" rallying cries—targets the youth vote in a state plagued by unemployment rates exceeding 18% among those under 25, according to recent National Sample Survey data. On the surface, the message appeals to disillusioned young voters, a demographic pivotal in Bihar's youth-heavy electorate, where over 60% are below 35. However, beneath the veneer lies a clear signal: Paswan's intent to position himself as the next chief minister, a narrative that has simmered since his party's breakout in the 2020 polls.

The slogan's phrasing echoes the BJP's "Abki Baar, Modi Sarkar" from 2014 and "Abki Baar, 400 Paar" in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, serving as a nod to Paswan's alliance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party at the national level. LJP(RV), which won all five seats it contested in 2024, is currently negotiating seat shares within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for Bihar's 243 constituencies. This comes against a backdrop of strained ties with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United), a key NDA partner. The JDU has long viewed Paswan warily, blaming his aggressive 2020 campaign – dubbed "Bihar First, Bihari First" – for splitting anti-incumbency votes and costing them seats. Paswan, in turn, has repeatedly criticised Kumar's handling of law and order, including a surge in crimes against women, prompting BJP mediation earlier this year.

Tensions peaked in May 2025 when posters proclaiming "Chirag Paswan, Bihar ka Agla Mukhyamantri" surfaced across Patna, prompting NDTV to question Paswan on his tacit approval. He responded philosophically: "Workers' sentiments are so strong you can't stop them," while affirming that every party cadre should aspire for their leader's elevation. Though Paswan later endorsed Kumar's continuation, the episode underscored LJP(RV)'s strategy to erode JDU's dominance by amplifying youth grievances. Bihar's unemployment crisis, with over 2 million jobless graduates annually, has fuelled opposition narratives from Tejashwi Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which promises 10 lakh government jobs. Paswan counters with his own "Bihar First" agenda, focusing on skill development and migration reforms to retain talent.

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For the BJP, Paswan's manoeuvres affirm his loyalty despite the intra-alliance friction, ensuring LJP(RV)'s five to seven projected seats bolster the NDA's tally against the RJD-Congress-Left Mahagathbandhan. Yet, the JDU's entrenched vote bank – around 15-18% in past elections – remains indispensable, forcing Paswan to tread carefully. Analysts see the latest jab as a calculated escalation: rallying youth without alienating allies, while planting seeds for post-poll power dynamics. As talks intensify, the slogan encapsulates Paswan's balancing act – youthful ambition meets political pragmatism in Bihar's high-stakes electoral chessboard.

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