Chirag hardens stance on seat-sharing in talks with BJP on Bihar polls

The Chirag Paswan-led LJP has finally told ally BJP that seat sharing for the 243-member Bihar Assembly polls should be decided “at the earliest.” Chirag’s father Ram Vilas Paswan is a Union minister, and the party does not get along with the JD-U headed by Nitish Kumar, state’s Chief Minister.

The NDA allies are fighting the polls under Kumar’s leadership, not to the liking of the Paswans.

The three-phase polls are due in the state starting Oct 28. The results are expected on November 10.

Chirag Paswan reportedly met BJP chief JP Nadda on Sunday (September 28) and demanded a decision on seat-sharing at the earliest. If not, Paswan junior has reportedly told Nadda, the Lok Janshakti Party will field candidates in 143 of the 243 seats.

Sources said Chirag has made it clear that he will not hesitate to put up candidates against Janata Dal-United. He reportedly reminded the BJP chief that recently, the JD-U said it had no alliance with the LJP. “So LJP can field candidates against JD-U candidates,” he said, a source said.

Chirag’s warning could lead to an NDA-vs-NDA fight in these polls after days of seat-sharing talks have failed to yield results.

Related news: Both Bihar alliances in troubled waters ahead of October polls

The BJP’s relationship status with the Paswans has been complicated over the past few months because of an apparent rift between Nitish and Chirag.

The CM, who has been under attack from the Opposition over a host of issues including the coronavirus fight and the migrant jobs crisis, has not been spared by the Paswans’ party.

In May, Chirag Paswan had commented that he would support the BJP “whether it goes with Nitish’s leadership or changes its mind”. Since then, his attacks on the Chief Minister have been sharper.

Now LJP leaders are also openly pitching Chirag for chief minister though Nitish Kumar has already been endorsed by PM Modi as well as Home Minister Amit Shah. “He is definitely the chief ministerial candidate of our party, there is no doubt about it,” Shahnawaz Ahmad Kaifi, LJP national general secretary, told a news agency.

Nitish Kumar’s move to bring rival-turned-ally Jitan Ram Manjhi to the NDA has fueled more anger in the Paswan camp, which has a similar vote-bank.

If the Paswans decide to quit the BJP-led coalition, they will be the third allies to do so after SAD and Shiv Sena.