Seat-sharing wrangle in NDA as LJP(RV) hints at going solo

Patna: Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) continues to keep political circles guessing about its stand in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, due in Oct-Nov, with fresh remarks from its leaders. On Sunday, Jamui MP and party’s Bihar in charge Arun Bharti indirectly suggested the party may consider contesting alone, much like it did in 2020.Bharti claimed that if LJP(RV) had contested all 243 seats in the last polls, it might have secured 10% of the total votes. The statement is being read as an indication that Union minister Chirag Paswan, Bharti’s brother-in-law, could weigh a solo option once again.Bharti, who has earlier maintained that the party never fought assembly elections in alliance with JD(U), wrote on X, “Workers are the backbone of the party.

In 2020, when we could not fulfil their sentiment and expectations due to coalition dharma, we took the bold decision to contest the elections alone. Even though we were able to win only one seat in that election, we got 6% votes by contesting 137 seats. If we had contested all 243 seats, our vote percentage would have been more than 10%.

This was a living proof of the strength of our workers and the trust of the people. In fact, this has been a part of our strategic move and political character.

The 2020 elections made it clear that if any party in Bihar politics had the capacity to contest alone, it was only the LJP (RV).”Political analysts feel around 10% votes can tilt results in assembly polls. They point to Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party, whose candidates polled close to 10% in four bypolls last year, against 11.6% for JD(U) and 21% for BJP, ensuring NDA victories in those constituencies.Bharti’s remark on “political character” is seen as a response to Union minister and HAM(S) founder Jitan Ram Manjhi, who had taken a jibe at Chirag a day earlier.

“Since 2020, you have been seeing his moves and character (unka chaal aur charitra jante hain). I cannot say much about him. But Bihar and the country need NDA and all partners should come together to strengthen the alliance,” Manjhi had said.Bharti added, “As soon as one lamp is lit, many fuse bulbs want to become halogen vapor lights for fear of getting extinct.”However, BJP national spokesman Sanjay Mayukh stressed unity within NDA.

“All the five constituents will contest the assembly elections unitedly. There is no doubt about it,” he said.According to sources, BJP and JD(U) have agreed to share 203 seats with 20 earmarked for Chirag and 10 each for Manjhi’s HAM(S) and Upendra Kushwaha’s RLM. Yet Chirag has repeatedly demanded a “respectable share”, hinting at around 40 seats, citing his party’s 100% strike rate in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.Bharti’s threat to go solo is being seen as a bargaining tactic for a bigger share. Analysts believe if Chirag secures more than 20 seats, it could reduce Manjhi’s quota, intensifying rivalry between the two Dalit leaders vying for space within NDA.