On 8th April, The Indian Express hosted a session of Express Adda featuring one of the most dynamic and youthful voices in Indian politics — Chirag Paswan, Union Cabinet Minister for Food Processing Industries. With his striking appearance and simple, relatable style of communication, Paswan has emerged as a political figure who resonates strongly with India’s youth. His clarity of thought and grounded views have helped him carve a distinct identity, both as a policymaker and a leader.
A three-term Member of Parliament, National President of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and a key ally in the NDA government, Chirag Paswan is today at the heart of the Centre’s ambitious plans for boosting agro-based industries — especially with a renewed focus on his home state, Bihar. His party, which won all five seats it contested in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Bihar, stands poised to play a crucial role in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, a contest with implications that stretch far beyond the state.
During the two-hour-long Adda session, Paswan talked about a range of political and policy issues — from coalition government and agro-economics to personal anecdotes and his vision for Bihar’s future.
“I keep good connect with leaders across parties, just like my father did,” he remarked, drawing parallels with his late father, Ram Vilas Paswan, a veteran of Indian politics. Chirag’s respectful tone toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he fondly refers to as “My Prime Minister” and himself as “his Hanuman”, drew appreciation from the audience. “I respect my Prime Minister for the way he connects with the public,” he added.
When asked about alliances with regional parties, he responded confidently: “Nobody can touch you if you keep yourself solid. Alliances happen because others see something worthy in you. I stay connected with Bihar — that’s where my strength lies.”
Touching upon personal challenges, Paswan candidly shared that after his father’s demise, “I was thrown out of my own house.” Despite these hardships, his commitment to Bihar and its people remains solid. He champions the ‘Bihar First, Bihari First’ initiative, a vision rooted in regional pride and self-reliance.
On the topic of the relevance of regional parties, he offered a crisp insight: “There is a connect — people relate to them.” Speaking on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s declining influence, he acknowledged Kumar’s contributions since 2005, especially in improving law and order and winning over women voters through the prohibition policy. However, he added, “Development in Bihar has slowed; there’s a saturation. It needs to pick up pace again.”
Paswan passionately envisioned a future where education and healthcare in Bihar are free, reducing the outflow of youth to other states. “Everything should be available in Bihar itself. By 2047, we can make it happen — I have that clarity in my mind,” he stated confidently.
Speaking about his ministry, Paswan emphasised the huge untapped potential of the food processing sector. “There is no significant value addition happening currently. With modern processing technologies, we can improve food quality, enhance freshness, and open new avenues for farmers. Bihar, with its abundant produce, holds immense scope.” He also highlighted religious tourism as another promising area for Bihar’s development, citing the example of Uttar Pradesh’s progress.
The interaction was lively, with the audience engaging enthusiastically, asking questions, and applauding the minister’s straightforward, clear Hindi communication style and firm vision.
Chirag Paswan is not just a politician with a famous lineage — he is a leader with a roadmap, a voice of the youth, and a key player in shaping both Bihar’s destiny and India’s agro-industrial future.
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