Born in 1946 in Khagaria, Bihar, Paswan has made a mark as a good administrator. He has been part of several ministries since 1989.
His party, Lok Janashakti Party, made a dramatic comeback after aligning with the BJP in the recently held general elections. Paswan’s brother and son are also members of Parliament.
He has handled several important ministries such as Railways, Communications, Chemicals and Fertilisers and Mines in various Governments — under the UPA, NDA and the United Front.
His entry to the Lok Sabha on a Janata Party ticket was with record margin of votes. But in the 2009 elections he lost from Hajipur and many started writing his political obituary. By winning the seat again he proved his critics wrong. Paswan is facing a CBI enquiry in a recruitment scam. Paswan’s entry into the NDA fold had helped the BJP to swing the Bihar results in its favour.