The past few years have been like a roller coaster ride. I started my political journey almost a decade ago. My father, at that time, was the national president of Lok Janshakti Party and I was given the responsibility of being the chairman of the parliamentary board. That is when our party decided to go with the NDA. My party and my father were (then) in an alliance with the UPA. He wasn’t willing to change the alliance. But it was the demand of the parliamentary board, which I was heading. That was the first strong decision that I took. We performed well. But I think my actual journey started after my father left us on October 8, 2020. Immediately after, there was a split in the family — two members of Parliament out of six were from our family. Not only did I lose my party and family, I lost everything I had, including the house I was living in. But I have no regrets because that (the house) was something I wasn’t eligible for. But the way everything happened, it was very difficult.

That phase has taught me a lot and made me a better person besides giving me a sense of responsibility and how you should never take anything for granted. One thing that kept me going was the idea of never giving up. My father used to say that you lose when you give up. I kept working hard. I kept in touch with the people of my state. I started with Ashirwad Yatra and soon realised that I had huge support. I think this was well recognised by the PM and the INDIA Alliance. I have never seen, in the history of coalition governments, when a single-member party has been given five seats to contest on. I think that was the belief of my PM in me. I think I have also lived up to his expectations by giving him back all five seats. Things were difficult, but I’m happy that our party is there in the same way it used to be during my father’s time, with a 100 per cent strike rate.

Deeptiman Tiwary: There seems to be a great equation between you and PM Modi. Yours is a smaller party which has a bigger ministry. How has this relationship developed?

I think the PM has beautifully kept personal and professional relationships separate. On a personal level, he stood by me through thick and thin. He was there for me when my father was in the hospital. If a PM is calling you twice a day directly and not only inquiring about your father’s health but also giving you options after speaking to other doctors …meant a lot to me and my family. During my tough times in politics too, when I was thrown out of the house and my party, the PM was always there with me. Professionally, some tough decisions were taken by the alliance in which the BJP was also there. I don’t think there’s any favouritism in terms of ministries. Giving a ministry is his call. Eventually, everything boils down to your capabilities, potential and delivery.

On his relationship with PM Modi: Many would taunt me saying, ‘ye Hanuman bana phir raha hai’. But then that is the kind of devotion that I have for my Prime Minister. And that devotion, that dedication for him will continue forever

Santosh Singh: Your father would talk about the possibility of developing the food processing industry in Bihar. How do you see the potential?

I’m happy that I’ve been given the responsibility of a ministry which can deliver a lot at the ground level. I’m from Bihar but as a minister I have to take care of the whole country. For India, being an agro-pro country, there’s a huge scope for this department to deliver. When we talk about the upliftment of our farmers, this is where we can contribute.

As a leader of my party, I’m heading a vision document that’s called ‘Bihar First, Bihari First’, where, repeatedly, I’ve talked about food processing units, given examples where I talk about bananas from Hajipur, litchi from Muzaffarpur, mango and makhanas. It’s ironical that we don’t have processing units where they are actually produced. When bananas go down south, they get converted into those banana chips and the value adds to it. If we can do the same thing back in our state, my farmers will get more economic benefit. These processing units will also solve, to a certain extent, the problem of unemployment. It will create a lot of job opportunities and eventually add to the state revenue.

On Nitish Kumar: I never had any personal issues with him. My only concern was the development of my state… Had we not been honest with each other, the result wouldn’t have been what my state has delivered

Santosh Singh: Have you received any call from your uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras? Is there a possibility of a merger?

No, I have not received any call from him and there have been no efforts from his side. Which is fine. I was not expecting it either. Forget about my list of priorities, it’s not even on my list of concerns anymore. I have moved forward and he has moved far away from me. The kind of things that have been said by him, by my younger brother, in the public domain about my family and my mother, it really hurts. A merger, I don’t think is possible because that’s a political decision. I don’t think there’s any scope because there’s a huge anger against him and within my party.

Santosh Singh: You are the fourth largest alliance partner in NDA this time. Do you think there will be more pressure within the government? Is that good for democracy?

No, not at all. I think any kind of pressure politics is not good for any government, and least of all for democracy. I think you need a strong leader who can make strong decisions and lead the country strongly. During the past 10 years, we could deliver only because we had a strong government and leadership. This assurance has been given by all the allies. We all are standing strong with the PM. He can make bigger and tougher decisions with the same pride that he used to take in the past.

Deeptiman Tiwary: With the NEET paper leak, there are widespread protests around the country. Fingers are being raised against the government for the mismanagement of NTA.

The government and the PM are very clear that no compromise will be made with respect to the students and their future. Whatever decision will be taken by the government will only be for the betterment of the students involved. The government needs to take all the stakeholders in confidence. I’m talking about 24 lakh students involved in this. There’s a huge section that does not want to undergo a re-examination. But there’s a section which is not happy with the results. Both the parties have gone to Court and the matter is still pending. As for the paper leak, all the Central investigating agencies are investigating the matter. The right decision will be taken.

Deeptiman Tiwary: Do you think the entire NTA structure needs to be reviewed since there have been many allegations of mismanagement?

If the investigation reports suggest that, then it will be done. The government has got nothing to hide. Whether it’s NTA or any other agency or anybody who has done wrong to the system because of which the chaos has been created, will be punished.

Deeptiman Tiwary: What do you think is wrong with the Agnipath scheme?

A few ally partners have expressed this concern, and I think my alliance gives us that platform, where we can share our concerns. This is something that needs to be discussed within the alliance first before we talk about this on an open platform.

Harikishan Sharma: As a youth leader, have you shared your concerns about the NEET paper leak with the PM? What is the advice that he’s given you post your recent meeting?

During the cabinet meeting, the PM himself raised concerns about the NEET issue. We also raised our concerns. The students’ future will not be tampered with.

In my party, there are two women and four young MPs. The image of Bihar that I want to present to the world — Well educated, articulate and well-spoken youngsters. When they will represent Bihar in Parliament, they will reflect the new image of Bihar. So far, Bihar was equated with poverty and corruption. The PM explained how the Opposition tries to create false narratives. The Opposition had the opportunity to raise the NEET issue in the Parliament during the ‘Motion of Thanks’. Instead, they resorted to sloganeering and shouting and halted the affairs of the House. This shows that the youth and students are not important to them.

Asad Rahman: In Uttar Pradesh, Chandrashekhar Azad has won the Nagina seat. How do you see this development?

I’m more concerned about my development and that of my alliance. I’ve always been an advocate of positive politics. Downsizing or demeaning or belittling others hasn’t been my aim. In these results, we have received signals that we need to learn from. Many political quarters are doing their calculations and so are we. The UP results are …not what we expected.

False narratives by the Opposition contribute to this. We didn’t let this happen in Bihar. When it comes to the reservation, the Constitution, and democracy, they tried to spread rumours. They said the Constitution will be finished. No, power can take away reservation from India. It’s a Constitutional right.

In some states, they’ve benefited from such false narratives. I don’t think they can use such fears to win elections repeatedly.

Deeptiman Tiwary: You said you stopped such false narratives in Bihar. How?

In 2015’s state elections, we experienced that the Opposition played such a narrative. Because they had exploited this fear once and won, in 2024, it didn’t work for the Lok Sabha elections. I took this liberty from my PM, and I said that I need to go aggressive on this. If someone from your own community tries to assure you of something, people believe you more easily. I just said what’s true. Till Chirag Paswan is alive, no one can harm reservations or the Constitution. It reached the people of Bihar.

On 2024 Elections: In these results, we have received signals that we need to learn from. Many political quarters are doing their calculations and so are we. The Uttar Pradesh results are …not what we expected

Lalmani Verma: After the Speaker election, you said that in the Opposition-ruled states, they had kept both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker posts. But you didn’t name the states.

I only stated the facts. If you expect that the treasury bench should conduct itself in a certain way, then you should do the same. They kept volleying accusations at us. In that meeting, I was there, as was Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He was talking to Kharge sahab. He was busy with some medical issue so he said the other Opposition members would correspond with us, but that didn’t happen. After that, they accused us of not being ready for a discussion, on the record, and said that we shot down their demand for a Deputy Speaker. We said we were ready for discussion. But at 11:57, they gave their name, at the last minute.

Lalmani Verma: Do you think the Deputy Speaker post will remain with the NDA or should it go to the Opposition?

There are traditions where it has gone to them. In 2014, the Deputy Speaker went to AIADMK. This should be discussed positively. But if you come forward with conditions… I don’t think democracy can work under such conditions. You must believe in each other.

You put forward a Dalit face whenever something like this happens. Is a Dalit face only for symbolic representation? In the presidential elections, they put forward Meira Kumar, a Dalit face, Shindeji, now K Suresh. Playing a Dalit card every time like this, when you know you don’t have the numbers.

Lalmani Verma: BJP lost the Faizabad seat to a Dalit, Awadesh Prasad. Samajwadi Party is making him sit in the front seat in the Lok Sabha. Does it make the NDA uncomfortable in the House?

There’s nothing to be uncomfortable about. After the Independence, there were many instances when people tried to stop people from coming together. Whether it’s someone from a forward caste or backward caste, when they come up based on their capabilities, it makes us all happy. Neither I, my government nor my alliance is made insecure by this. You’re giving him so much respect now, it would’ve been nice if you gave it earlier too. But it’s still nice.

Santosh Singh: With Nitish Kumar showing signs of fatigue, how do you see the 2025 elections? Do you think there should be a change of leadership?

I see myself as one of the strong allies helping to form the NDA government post-2025 elections. As of now, I think my CM (Kumar) is leading this alliance beautifully. I want this to continue the way it’s continuing. I believe we’ll get on the election battleground with the CM’s face only. And the NDA alliance will get an unprecedented win in the Vidhan Sabha elections.

Deeptiman Tiwary: In the last election, you went all guns blazing against Nitish Kumar. What has changed in five years?

I’ve said this very categorically that I never had any personal issues with him. My only concern was the development of my state. I just wanted my vision document to be incorporated into the vision of the NDA Alliance. My reason of opting out of the alliance was only that. But it was outrightly rejected then. That was the time when my father was unwell and he was in hospital and we couldn’t get too much of time to sit and interact and to work a way out. But now, if I’m the part of an alliance, I have to be there wholeheartedly. Had we not been honest with each other, the result wouldn’t have been what my state has delivered.

Santosh Singh: Do you see yourself more active in state politics down the line?

Definitely. Unlike my father, who was more into Central politics, I see myself more in state politics. My reason to come into politics was this. I was working in Mumbai, and so I have witnessed how Biharis are treated in various states and various other parts of the world. So my fight was always about Bihari pride, to get it back to my state, and stop the migration.

Deeptiman Tiwari: There are two more players in Bihar politics, Tejashwi Yadav and Prashant Kishor. How do you see them?

I think Prashant is doing a wonderful job, with the kind of hard work that he’s putting into things. I don’t know how much this translates into electoral politics. The future will tell. I don’t have much to talk about my younger brother Tejashwi, because he’s been given big responsibilities a couple of times. He’s been the Deputy CM in my state twice. It was a family-led government in Bihar for over a decade. That’s the decade, which even till date, has been remembered as Jungle Raj. So I don’t know how much he can deiver, or how much support he can get from the people of my state. Also, because of the caste politics that he does, I can’t relate myself to that. His whole politics revolves around casteism, communalism, regionalism, and religionism.

On Bihar: The image of Bihar that I want to present to the world is that of well- educated and articulate youngsters. So far, Bihar was equated with poverty and corruption… my fight was always about Bihari pride, to get it back to my state

Deeptiman Tiwary : If the climate of Bihar politics changes, will Chirag Paswan’s politics also change? Can your alliance change?

Not at all. Never. My alliance primarily is with my Prime Minister. There was a time when I was going through a tough phase in my life. Many used to taunt me saying, ‘ye Hanuman bana phir raha hai’. Hanuman was not used in a positive sense. But then that is the kind of devotion that I have for my Prime Minister. And that devotion, that dedication for him will continue forever. And I have proved this in the past. I have opted out of the NDA alliance, but I have not joined an alternative alliance. Even in the future, whether I’m part of any alliance or not, my dedication to my Prime Minister, is never going to change.