How a Dalit leader became the ultimate survivor of Indian coalition politics

Countries & Cities · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Ram Vilas Paswan was a political chameleon who served under seven different prime ministers. Born into a marginalized community, he rejected a police career to master the art of the alliance, becoming a permanent fixture in India’s cabinet for decades by skillfully navigating the country's shifting ideological tides.

Born in 1946 near Khagaria, Bihar, Ram Vilas Paswan rose from a Dalit background to become a central figure in Indian governance. Though he qualified as a deputy superintendent of police in 1969, he chose a path in politics, joining the Samyukta Socialist Party. His early career was defined by resistance; he was imprisoned during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's emergency rule between 1975 and 1977. This period of defiance cemented his stature as a leader for Bihar's low-caste Hindus and Muslim communities.

Paswan’s political longevity was unparalleled. He was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times, losing only twice in over three decades. In 2000, he founded the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) after the Janata Dal fractured over whether to join the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance. His ability to pivot was legendary: he served as a minister in governments led by diverse coalitions, moving between the National Front, the United Progressive Alliance, and eventually the cabinet of Narendra Modi in 2014.

Often dubbed the 'weatherman' of Indian politics for his knack for anticipating electoral shifts, Paswan held cabinet portfolios ranging from railways to consumer affairs. His career spanned seven different governments, and he remained a cabinet minister continuously from 1996 through 2015. By the time of his death in 2020, he had secured his legacy not just as a representative of Bihar, but as a master strategist who could maintain influence across the most volatile political divides in India.

While his alliances were sometimes controversial—such as his 2012 support for foreign investment in retail—his pragmatic approach ensured that his party remained relevant in national discourse. He was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2021, recognizing his long-standing contribution to Indian politics and his role as a voice for marginalized groups.

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