New Delhi:Seat-sharing parleys among the NDA allies appeared to have made some breakthrough with Lok Janshakti Party leaders claiming that their demand has been met.
“At least now we can officially say that LJP, irrespective of issues among the allies, have reached a clear understanding with the alliance(National Democratic Alliance),” Chriag Paswan of LJP said on Saturday after deliberations over the issue at Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) president Amit Shah’s residence.
“The meeting also deliberated at length over our election strategy in Bihar,” Mr Paswan, son of LJP president and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, said,
A beaming Ram Vilas Paswan, Chirag Paswan, Shah, Union minister and Bihar in-charge Ananth Kumar and BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav exchanged sweets after the meeting.
However, Jitan Ram Manjhi was absent, Bihar’s deposed Chief Minister and founder of Hindustani Awam Morcha, who is said to be at loggerheads with LJP over the claims of their hold on a sizeable Dalit and Mahadalit vote bank in the state.
An understanding has been reached among the allies with LJP getting 35 plus seats, Manjhi 15 seats and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief and Union minister Upendra Kushwaha about 25 seats and BJP – about 150 seats in an election to 243 seat Bihar assembly. Final picture is expected to be clear by today later in the day.
Kumar said there will be an “honourable” seat sharing arrangement and the alliance will score “an unprecedented victory” in the state. (UNI)
