Chirag Paswan defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Constitution remark and accused Congress of disrespecting BR Ambedkar. He also backed delimitation linked to women's reservation while highlighting Bihar projects and political civility.Chirag Paswan (File Photo- PTI)Patna,Nov 13, 2026 21:32 ISTUnion minister Chirag Paswan on Friday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, his family and other party leaders of disrespecting the Constitution and its architect, BR Ambedkar, while defending Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Constitution in pocket" remark, news agency Press Trust of India reported.Paswan also spoke about women's reservation and the proposed delimitation exercise, Modi's scheduled visit to Bihar on November 21, and a recent interaction between Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor.Responding to questions about Modi's apparent dig at the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Paswan said the Prime Minister had shown his respect for the Constitution by bowing before a copy of it after assuming office."The Prime Minister had made it clear to the nation that the Constitution will be the guiding force behind administration," Paswan said, according to PTI.
He added that it was through the Constitution that Babasaheb Ambedkar gave a voice to the poor. "On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi speaks of giving respect to the Constitution but struts about carrying a copy in his pocket and whips it out before the people whenever he wishes. The Constitution is not an object to be waved casually in public.
But then, Rahul Gandhi and his family have never respected the Constitution or its author," he alleged.Paswan, who heads the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), also claimed that the Congress had conspired to ensure Ambedkar's defeat when he contested an election. "My late father Ram Vilas Paswan persuaded the VP Singh government, in 1989, to put up a statue of Ambedkar in Parliament. The Congress, which had been in power until then, did not care," he said.The Union minister was also asked about speculation that the Modi government planned to convene a special session of Parliament to pass the controversial delimitation bill, which could also bring into effect the previously passed women's reservation law."The bill aims at ensuring that women's strength in Lok Sabha reaches one-third of the total number without affecting those seats from which men are being elected.
Hence, the delimitation bill also proposes to increase the number of MPs from all states in such a way that those with lower population growth are not at a disadvantage," he replied.Paswan claimed that many Congress MPs had no objection to the proposal and had said so in off-the-record conversations."But their leadership is not amenable to reason. Hence, we see the opposition party shying away from debates in the House but holding mock Parliament at AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge's house," the Hajipur MP said.
He was referring to a recent event that sought the impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.Commenting on Modi's scheduled visit to Bihar on November 21, Paswan said the state and its people were important to the Prime Minister. "His upcoming visit is personally special to me because he is coming to the Lok Sabha constituency I represent," he said.The NDA leader also highlighted the government's plan to develop a large area in Rajapakar as a food-processing cluster and an electronic city.Asked about social media visuals showing Choudhary shaking hands and interacting with his political rival Kishor, Paswan said political leaders should show mutual respect to strengthen a positive democratic culture.Kishor, who wrested the Bankipur seat from the BJP in an Assembly bypoll earlier this year, has frequently criticised Choudhary, accusing him of "possessing a criminal past and mindset" and questioning the legitimacy of his publicly declared educational qualifications."When political leaders meet each other personally at public events, there should be enough space for them to look each other in the eye, interact respectfully and collectively strengthen a positive democratic culture. I believe yesterday's interaction was an example of precisely that," Paswan said.Paswan, who has reportedly been invited by don-turned-politician Anant Singh to his daughter's wedding, congratulated the family and extended his best wishes.
Singh was recently in the spotlight for opposing NDA nominee Neeraj Kumar in the biennial Legislative Council elections, following which he was expelled from the JD(U).Paswan thus defended Modi's remarks on the Constitution, criticised the Congress over its approach to Ambedkar, backed the proposed delimitation exercise linked to women's representation, and spoke about political developments and upcoming projects in Bihar.- Ends