Chirag Paswan's LJP(RV) Threatens Solo Contest in UP and Punjab if BJP Seat-Sharing Fails

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Tuesday declared that his party will contest the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, either as part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) or independently. Paswan stated that while LJP(RV) is open to a seat-sharing arrangement with the BJP-led NDA, the party will field candidates on all seats in both states if no agreement is reached.

The announcement comes amid ongoing negotiations within the NDA for seat distribution ahead of the 2027 assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Paswan, whose party is a constituent of the NDA at the Centre, has been seeking a larger share of seats to expand his party's footprint beyond its traditional stronghold in Bihar. In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, LJP(RV) had contested in alliance with the BJP but failed to win any seats. The party has since been vocal about its demand for a more equitable seat-sharing formula.

Political analysts view Paswan's statement as a strategic move to pressure the BJP into conceding more seats, while also keeping his options open. If LJP(RV) decides to go solo, it could potentially split the non-BJP vote in some constituencies, impacting the NDA's performance. The BJP has not yet responded to Paswan's remarks. The development underscores the challenges of alliance management within the NDA and sets the stage for intense bargaining in the coming months.