The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is content with the one seat it got under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for Jharkhand Assembly Elections, said the Union Minister and party chief Chirag Paswan on Monday. In an exclusive interview with ABP, the Union Minister also talked about his equation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reports of LJP (Ram Vilas) fighting the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Bypolls, BJP leader Giriraj Singh's Hindu Sadbhavna Yatra and health concerns around Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
When asked about his recent public criticism of several government policies, despite being an NDA ally, Paswan said, "My concerns are for that section of society for which my leader my father late Ram Vilas Paswan raised his voice. Taking his principle forward, as an ally it becomes my responsibility to make my government aware of any problem faced by that section of the society."
When asked as an NDA ally, why did he not raise his concerns internally, Paswan said that it is important for the people he's fighting for should know his stance. "But I did not create a public fuss about. I just gave one statement on every issue, and then I raised all my concerns internally. I am happy about the fact that my Prime Minister addressed all my suggestions and many decisions were taken based on them."
He also asserted that his equation with the Prime Minister is good and said, "It is not possible that my coordination with my Prime Minister is not good. I was with the PM even in those circumstances when I was not with the NDA."
On Jharkhand Seat Sharing
Union Minister of Food Processing Industries also dismissed reports of LJP (Ram Vilas) demanding 4-5 seats from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly election. "In 2014 we fought the Jharkhand poll under the NDA alliance, and at that time also our party contested on just one seat...This time my only concern was that I had a list of 4-5 seats, where we had some clout and we could win the election. I just wanted that seat assigned to is from that list. We held talks regarding that. I have no problem with getting one seat. In fact, I am more than happy with the one seat we got in Jharkhand," he said.
On Giriraj Singh's Hindu Sadbhavna Yatra
Paswan distanced himself from ally BJP's senior leader Giriraj Singh's Hindu Sadbhavna Yatra for the "protection of the existence of Hindus". "I come from the school of thought that follows our PM Narendra Modi's vision of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. I follow the thinking of PM Modi. Now, not everyone can agree with someone's personal statement and work. I have nothing to do with his (Singh's) yatra."
On Nitish Kumar's Health
When asked about reports on Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's deteriorating health, Paswan said he met the Janta Dal United (JDU) leader some 20 days ago and he's doing fine. "He does not have any problem and the government is running smoothly under his leadership... The NDA will fight the next Bihar Assembly polls under his leadership."