Union Minister Chirag Paswan said he will contest the forthcoming Bihar assembly elections, announcing the decision at a rally in Saran on 6 July. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief became the first National Democratic Alliance leader to back a domicile requirement for state government jobs, a stance that contrasts with the Nitish Kumar administration’s position that such a policy would violate constitutional norms. Paswan also cited last week’s killing of Patna businessman Gopal Khemka to argue that law-and-order in Bihar has “collapsed,” sharpening opposition criticism of the Janata Dal (United)-Bharatiya Janata Party government. The murder has dominated local headlines and prompted rival parties to revive allegations of a ‘jungle raj’ reminiscent of the 1990s. The remarks intensified a broader political dispute after Congress MP Rahul Gandhi branded Bihar the country’s “crime capital.” BJP and JD(U) spokespeople rejected Gandhi’s charge and accused the Congress of ignoring higher crime rates in its own-ruled states. With campaigning gaining momentum, public safety and employment policy are emerging as early flash-points in the 2025 state race.