RLJP, JMM likely to join INDIA bloc in state amid seat-sharing challenges

Patna: The INDIA bloc in Bihar could expand further with the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) led by Pashupati Kumar Paras and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) headed by Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren likely to join the opposition alliance “soon” to challenge the ruling NDA in the forthcoming assembly elections.The matter came up for discussion during a key meeting of INDIA bloc leaders at the official residence of RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Saturday. State Congress president Rajesh Kumar told reporters, “Two more parties are expected to be part of the INDIA bloc soon and we all have to sacrifice our share of seats to accommodate the new partners.” He added that the alliance was working together on all 243 constituencies. This was the bloc’s first meeting after the fortnight-long Voter Adhikar Yatra, which drew an encouraging response.Seat sharing, however, continues to be contentious with allies demanding larger shares. Congress leaders insist they cannot go below the 70 seats contested in the last assembly polls, citing public enthusiasm during the yatra. VIP chief Mukesh Sahani has demanded “60 seats plus the post of deputy CM” while the CPI-ML is pressing for at least 40 seats, pointing to its past performance. The RJD, meanwhile, is unwilling to contest on fewer than 150 seats.

Participants stressed the need to settle the deal quickly to launch campaigns in earnest. “But seat sharing is not the issue now. We are moving in the right direction,” Rajesh Kumar said with a smile, urging all allies to demonstrate “rocklike unity” to combat what he called “vote chori”.Congress’s Bihar in charge Krishna Allavaru described the meeting as “very positive” but underlined the need for adjustments to accommodate new partners. “There must be a balance between ‘good and bad seats’. It should not be that one walks away with ‘good seats’ while another is given ‘bad seats’ (meaning the seats where the victory chances look tough). This should be seriously taken into consideration,” he said, calling for a quick finalisation of the arrangement.