Chirag Paswan denies rift with BJP, says he's inseparable from PM Modi

Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Friday rejected rumours of a rift between his Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and the BJP, asserting that he views himself as "inseparable" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In an interview to PTI, Paswan said he was willing to contest the upcoming Bihar assembly polls as an NDA partner "if the BJP so desires", and made light of estranged uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras' recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"My love for Narendra Modi is unshakeable. I am inseparable from him, for as long as he is Prime Minister", said Paswan, when asked about speculations triggered by his stance on issues like Wakf Board reforms, lateral entry into bureaucracy and creamy layer and sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes.

He pointed out "as a matter of fact, my views always reflected the government's stand. A case in point is sending the Wakf Bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee".

Speculations have been rife that Paswan, formerly a docile junior ally, h