BJP President Nadda Invites LJP (Ram Vilas) Chief Chirag Paswan To Join NDA Meeting On 18 July

Chirag Paswan, leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), is expected to attend the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting on 18 July.

This comes as the ruling BJP is making efforts to showcase its strength amidst the Opposition's attempts to unite against the Modi Government.

In a second meeting within a week, Union Minister Nityanand Rai met with Chirag Paswan on Friday (14 July) night.

The LJP(R) has also shared a letter from BJP president J P Nadda, inviting Paswan to attend the NDA meeting.

In his letter, BJP president Nadda acknowledged the Lok Janshakti Party as a crucial part of the NDA and a valuable partner in the Modi government's efforts towards the development and welfare of the underprivileged.

The BJP is making efforts to bring Paswan, the son of the late Dalit leader Ram Vilas Paswan, back into the NDA fold.

Paswan had left the alliance in Bihar during the 2020 State Assembly polls to campaign against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was then the BJP's biggest ally.

Despite facing a split in the LJP led by his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras, who is now a Union Minister, Chirag Paswan has managed to retain the party's loyal vote bank, according to a PTI report.

This indicates his importance to the BJP in Bihar, where it is up against a strong coalition consisting of the RJD, JD(U), Congress, and the Left.

Further, Chirag Paswan has consistently supported the BJP on important issues. Several new allies of the BJP, such as the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar, and various smaller parties from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and the Northeastern states, are expected to participate in the NDA meeting.

The presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected at the meeting.