Paswan-led LJP wants BJP to contest more seats than JD-U in Bihar polls

The latest from Ram Vilas Paswan came as he had a late night meeting with BJP chief JP Nadda on Wednesday (September 16). The LJP leader is said to have already conveyed his idea to his party MPs, past and present.

Paswan’s LJP with two MLAs in the 243-member Assembly has had problems with Nitish Kumar-led JD-U over the state government’s handling of the COVID-19 situation in the state. The latest addition of Jitan Ram Manjhi of HAM to the NDA fold has further upset the party. The LJP is said to be mulling over going it alone in the Bihar polls while remaining with the NDA at the Centre.

Chirag’s father Ramvilas Paswan is a Union minister. The JD-U, BJP and LJP are the key allies of the NDA in Bihar. The BJP, finding itself in a strange situation, has let it be known that NDA was united and that the alliance would fight the polls under the leadership of Nitish Kumar.

Paswan has also written to Prime MinisterModi, informing him of the political situation in the state, and the ostensible anti-incumbency against the JD(U) government, sources said.

LJP’s principal general secretary, Abdul Khaliq, said they would discuss a vision document of ‘Bihar First, Bihari First’ at the next meeting. “The party has authorized Chirag to take a final decision on NDA alliance at the LJP central Parliamentary board meeting, which would take place after our next meeting.”

In a statement on Wednesday (Sept 16), the party said, “Chirag Paswan congratulated all members about steps taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Bihar. He informed them about a meeting with the national president of BJP late last night, as well as a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

Related news: Bihar polls: LJP authorises Chirag to take call on tie-up with Nitish-led JD(U)

A LJP senior leader said Chirag again apprised the BJP president about anti-incumbency against the CM Nitish Kumar and said that in the current climate JD-U should compromise on seats. “This was also contained in his letter to the PM,” he said.

At Wednesday’s meeting, a resolution was passed welcoming a comment from JD(U) leader KC Tyagi, who has said that his party has no alliance with LJP.

“Whatever Chirag is saying is against the spirit of coalition. We have a perfect understanding with BJP. I still maintain that we never had an alliance with LJP. It is just poll posturing (by LJP),” Tyagi said.

A senior LJP leader said the party would wait for BJP’s response before deciding the next course of action.