Chirag Paswan Says LJP-RV Has Identified Priority Seats in UP, Keeps Alliance Options Open

Chirag Paswan said LJP-Ram Vilas has identified priority seats in Uttar Pradesh, prefers contesting with the NDA, but may fight independently if alliance talks fail.

Lucknow: Union Minister Chirag Paswan said that his Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has identified its priority and ‘A’ category seats in Uttar Pradesh. He also said that party has a clear assessment of the minimum number of constituencies it wants to contest as part of an alliance.

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is part of the BJP-led NDA, however, Chirag declined to reveal the number of seats it is seeking, saying it would be unfair to alliance partners to make the details public at this stage.

LJP-RV Identifies Priority Seats

“If I share those figures publicly at this stage, I would be doing an injustice to my alliance partners. Within the party, we are very clear and focused about which seats should be our priority. We have also identified the 'A' category seats, as we call them in political terminology, and we have a clear idea of the minimum number of seats our party would like to contest as part of the alliance...”

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Union Minister Chirag Paswan says, "if I share those figures publicly at this stage, I would be doing an injustice to my alliance partners. Within the party, we are very clear and focused about which seats should be our priority. We have also identified the 'A' category seats, as we call them in political terminology, and we have a clear idea of the minimum number of seats our party would like to contest as part of the alliance..."

— IANS (@ians_india) October 8, 2026

The remarks come as the LJP-Ram Vilas seeks to expand its electoral presence in Uttar Pradesh while remaining aligned with the BJP-led alliance. Paswan has indicated that an alliance remains the party’s preferred route, while keeping open the possibility of contesting independently if an arrangement cannot be reached.

He also stressed his belief that voters benefit when they have a wider political choice, suggesting that his party could present itself as an alternative if an alliance is not formed.

“Look, I believe in democracy. The more alternatives there are, the stronger democracy is. The more options people have to choose, the stronger democracy is,” he said, “Democracy is strong. In such a situation, if there is no conflict, as an alternative, I will definitely present myself. Ultimately, this decision has to be taken by the people of Uttar Pradesh.”

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Union Minister Chirag Paswan says, "Look, I believe that in a democracy, the more options there are, the stronger the democracy becomes. The more choices people have, the stronger our democracy is. So, if an alliance is not formed, I will certainly present myself as an option. Ultimately, it is for the people of Uttar Pradesh to decide. I experienced a similar situation in 2020, immediately after the demise of my leader and father, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan ji, when an alliance could not be formed in Bihar. But because my commitment to my Prime Minister was so strong, I did not join any alternative alliance and contested the election on my own. A large section of the people of Bihar supported us, and we received more than 6% of the votes, which gave my party political significance..."

— IANS (@ians_india) October 8, 2026

Alliance Remains First Preference

Paswan pointed to the party’s electoral arrangements in Bihar, Jharkhand and Delhi while explaining its preference for fighting elections as part of an alliance.

“In such a situation, we are definitely in the priority centre in the alliance. We are in the alliance in Bihar. We fought the elections in the alliance in Jharkhand,” Chirag said, “We fought the elections in Delhi. The priority will definitely be that we fight the elections under the same alliance. But this alliance was mainly prepared for the centre and Bihar.”

He said the party had also contested elections independently in states where no alliance arrangement existed.

“In other states, like we fought the elections alone in Nagaland. My two MLA's are also in Nagaland. In such a situation, we have the freedom in other states.”

UP Strategy To Emerge Closer To Polls

On Uttar Pradesh, Paswan said the party would make efforts to reach an agreement with its alliance partners but could contest alone if talks do not lead to an understanding.

“Even if we could not form an alliance, we can fight the elections alone. But yes, there will definitely be an effort. But I think it is too early to comment. “As the elections are coming closer, there will be more clarity on these things.”

Paswan also recalled the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, when his party contested independently following the death of his father and party founder Ram Vilas Paswan.

“For me, such a moment came in 2020, immediately after the death of my leader and father Ram Vilas Paswan ji, when we could not form an alliance in Bihar. But my dedication to my Prime Minister was so great that I did not go to any alternative alliance. I fought the elections alone.”

He added that the party received significant support in Bihar during that election.

“A large population of Bihar supported us. More than 6% support. We met there, who gave my party that seriousness”