Lok Janshakti Party’s (LJP) disassociation from the NDA to contest independently in the upcoming Bihar elections has marked a transition in state politics. On the other hand, BJP’s cordial relations with honest CM Nitish Kumar continues with PM Modi lavishing praises on the JD(U) supremo. It is known that the BJP-JD(U) alliance has endured for long, however, politics is the art of the possible. LJP President Chirag Paswan drew flak for saying that his party would support the BJP post elections, if the latter would come to power.
It is known that Ram Vilas Paswan, founder of LJP, is a partner with the NDA at the Centre, and continues to be a minister in the Narendra Modi government. This has led to speculation that the announcement by the LJP to contest separately in the state is a drama being staged by the BJP to grab power in the state.
Meanwhile, an agreement has been reached between the ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance with an equal seat-sharing partnership on a 122-121 formula, while giving one extra seat to the Nitish’s JD(U). The JD(U) also needs to accommodate seven seats to Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha while the BJP has to accommodate the Vikassheel Insaan Party led by Mukesh Sahani, following LJP’s announcement of going solo.
Issue between LJP and the BJP was that the former demanded 42 seats against the latter’s offer of 27 seats. However, the LJP having garnered the support of 143 candidates decided to go solo in the upcoming elections in the state. On the other hand, LJP President Chirag Paswan who vouched his support to the BJP post elections, made severe allegations against CM Nitish Kumar.
