'Exit polls undermined LJP-R': Chirag dismisses rift rumours with JD(U); flays surveys
NEW DELHI: Union minister and LJP(RV) chief Chirag Paswan on Saturday strongly criticised what he described as a “false narrative” created during the Bihar Assembly elections about differences between his party and chief minister Nitish Kumar ’s JD(U).
A day after the NDA registered a landslide victory with 202 seats in the 243-member House, Paswan said several exit polls failed to show LJP(RV) in double digits but his party’s performance proved those predictions wrong.
“You had analysed this (seat allocation) on your channels… The mindset behind that analysis was that Chirag Paswan has been given those seats to lose,” he said in Patna.
"During Bihar poll campaign, false narrative created that there were differences between JD(U), LJP(RV)," Paswan said as reported by news agency PTI.
“Throughout the elections, attempts were made to set a narrative that there are cracks between JD(U) and LJP(RV). Most of the exit polls did not show us even in double digits. I didn’t contest on the basis of surveys, but on the basis of my hard work,” he added.
Paswan also stated that some political commentators linked his 2020 stance against JD(U) with the seats given to his party this time.
“A few of my ‘well-wishers’ started building a narrative that JD(U) played the same game with me in 2025. But the results speak for themselves,” he added.
Earlier, Paswan met Nitish Kumar in Patna and congratulated him personally on the NDA’s win. He praised the chief minister for leading the campaign with determination despite heavy criticism from the Opposition.
“When the so-called youth leaders of Bihar remained in their rooms because of inclement weather and gave speeches on their phones, my CM was going out for campaigning. He showed his capability,” LJP(RV) chief said.
He added that Bihar’s voters never accept crude political language and stood firmly with the NDA.
“Opposition tried to build false narratives, made personal comments on my PM but it made our alliance even stronger. Bihar and Biharis are known for dignity, for their culture. Biharis have never accepted such crude language,” he said.
Paswan shared that the meeting with Nitish Kumar was “cordial and constructive”. He also stressed out that the NDA partners are united to fulfil people’s aspirations.
“I conveyed my warm wishes to Nitish Kumar ji and expressed confidence that under his leadership, the NDA government will continue to deliver on its promises,” he said.
The LJP(RV) chief also criticised the Opposition for blaming EVMs and officials after the results.
“If they spent as much time on their own assessment as they do on finding fault, then Congress and RJD would achieve something better. No Bihari tolerates personal comments that go below limits,” he said.
The NDA crossed the 200-seat mark for the second time in Bihar’s electoral history. BJP won 89 seats, JD(U) 85, LJP(RV) 19, HAMS 5, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha secured 4 seats.
The Mahagathbandhan, including RJD and Congress, secured only 35 seats in total. The elections saw a record voter turnout of 67.13%, with higher participation by women.
A day after the NDA registered a landslide victory with 202 seats in the 243-member House, Paswan said several exit polls failed to show LJP(RV) in double digits but his party’s performance proved those predictions wrong.
‘Full Stop to Many Questions’ Chirag Paswan Hails PM Modi, Nitish as NDA Soars Past 200 Seats
“You had analysed this (seat allocation) on your channels… The mindset behind that analysis was that Chirag Paswan has been given those seats to lose,” he said in Patna.
"During Bihar poll campaign, false narrative created that there were differences between JD(U), LJP(RV)," Paswan said as reported by news agency PTI.
“Throughout the elections, attempts were made to set a narrative that there are cracks between JD(U) and LJP(RV). Most of the exit polls did not show us even in double digits. I didn’t contest on the basis of surveys, but on the basis of my hard work,” he added.
Paswan also stated that some political commentators linked his 2020 stance against JD(U) with the seats given to his party this time.
“A few of my ‘well-wishers’ started building a narrative that JD(U) played the same game with me in 2025. But the results speak for themselves,” he added.
Earlier, Paswan met Nitish Kumar in Patna and congratulated him personally on the NDA’s win. He praised the chief minister for leading the campaign with determination despite heavy criticism from the Opposition.
“When the so-called youth leaders of Bihar remained in their rooms because of inclement weather and gave speeches on their phones, my CM was going out for campaigning. He showed his capability,” LJP(RV) chief said.
He added that Bihar’s voters never accept crude political language and stood firmly with the NDA.
“Opposition tried to build false narratives, made personal comments on my PM but it made our alliance even stronger. Bihar and Biharis are known for dignity, for their culture. Biharis have never accepted such crude language,” he said.
Paswan shared that the meeting with Nitish Kumar was “cordial and constructive”. He also stressed out that the NDA partners are united to fulfil people’s aspirations.
“I conveyed my warm wishes to Nitish Kumar ji and expressed confidence that under his leadership, the NDA government will continue to deliver on its promises,” he said.
The LJP(RV) chief also criticised the Opposition for blaming EVMs and officials after the results.
“If they spent as much time on their own assessment as they do on finding fault, then Congress and RJD would achieve something better. No Bihari tolerates personal comments that go below limits,” he said.
The NDA crossed the 200-seat mark for the second time in Bihar’s electoral history. BJP won 89 seats, JD(U) 85, LJP(RV) 19, HAMS 5, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha secured 4 seats.
The Mahagathbandhan, including RJD and Congress, secured only 35 seats in total. The elections saw a record voter turnout of 67.13%, with higher participation by women.
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