Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Friday criticized opposition parties for causing public inconvenience through repeated road blockades in Delhi during demonstrations. He argued that the political opposition appeared more focused on political optics than resolving their grievances regarding the electoral framework, maintaining that direct discussions with the Election Commission represented the appropriate channel for grievances.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the seventh convocation ceremony for the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management in Haryana, Paswan additionally shared that his organization, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), is organizing its framework to contest all 403 constituencies in the upcoming 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, though decisions regarding electoral partnerships remain pending.
During his address at the academic event, Paswan noted that the domestic food processing industry stands among the country's most dynamic sectors, poised to drive employment generation, entrepreneurial growth, agricultural earnings, and nutritional security. He emphasized that durable answers emerge from conversation rather than street agitation, suggesting that if opposition factions harbor legitimate questions about electoral mechanisms, they should bring those inquiries directly to the Election Commission.
The LJP leader acknowledged that political organizations maintain a constitutional freedom to stage peaceful demonstrations, but he questioned whether the opposition genuinely intended to settle its grievances. He remarked that repeatedly halting traffic in the capital and burdening regular citizens lacks justification, accusing critics of using protests to compensate for electoral setbacks while prolonging demonstrations that had stretched across multiple days.
Opposition parliamentarians belonging to the INDIA bloc have mounted demonstrations in the capital to push for the departure of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition alliance previously settled on a coordinated strategy involving public rallies and democracy marches following controversies surrounding voter list revisions.
Addressing questions concerning his political party's strategy for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh legislative contests, Paswan confirmed that preparations are underway across all available seats. He noted that while his party remains aligned with the National Democratic Alliance at the national level and in Bihar, and has previously contested independently or selectively in regions like Jharkhand, Delhi, Nagaland, and elsewhere, the decision to form local partnerships in Uttar Pradesh has not yet been finalized. He added that the party intends to position itself as a viable alternative and a representative for young voters in the state.
While participating in the convocation proceedings, Paswan encouraged graduating scholars to look beyond traditional employment and embrace entrepreneurship, innovation, and problem-solving to generate new jobs. He pointed to the expansive horizons of the food processing industry for elevating agricultural value, supporting farmer livelihoods, and expanding large-scale employment.
Highlighting India's agricultural output and consumer base, Paswan called for integrating processing infrastructure closer to farming communities to help the nation emerge as a major global food provider. He urged students to push past conventional boundaries and leverage modern technology, promising government backing for innovative initiatives while stressing that product standards directly impact the international reputation of Brand India. The ceremony concluded with degrees awarded to 260 graduates alongside recognition for top academic achievers.