RLSP raises concerns after BJP releases first list

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has warned the people they will be the biggest “loser” if they don’t vote for him in the coming elections even as the poll surveys give ample hints about the ruling Grand Secular Alliance slowly losing ground in the state with poll dates drawing closer.

Anil Kumar Sadhu, son-in-law of Lok Jan Shakti Party chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, raised the banner of revolt on Sunday after being denied the ticket for the Bihar elections.

Former Bihar Chief Minister Jiten Ram Manjhi’s vehicle was involved in a minor accident while his convoy was leaving BJP President Amit Shah’s residence here after a meeting between the two leaders Monday.

The alliance partners are now fighting over who would get what seats. According to highly placed sources, the BJP believes that it will get somewhere between 123 to 130 seats.

According to reports, Union minister is under pressure from his relatives including his nephew, son in law, cousin, who are keen to jump into poll fray. “Whatever further negotiations have to happen between us and the BJP will have to take place with BJP’s central leadership only”. “That’s it. Now is the time to move on and campaign vigorously and all concerned should understand that”.

“The discussions were still being held on specific seats but BJP announced its candidates unilaterly”. A RLSP leader said, “Our opposition is not to Chaurasia but the BJP, who has fielded some turncoats from JD(U) and other parties, in areas of our influence without bothering to consult us”.

Mr Singh and another lawmaker, Veena Devi, spoke out against Chirag Paswan, questioning why all power should be concentrated in his hands and senior members of the party not be consulted about seat allotment.

There is no question of any dispute with Manjhi ji as his party cannot be given seats under any formula as he had neither contested Lok Sabha nor state Assemly polls in past.

Upendra Kushwaha and Jitan Ram Manjhi were both part of JD(U).

The BJP has decided to contest 160 seats in 243-member Bihar assembly, leaving the remaining to its allies – LJP 40, Hindustani Awam Morcha (20) and RLSP (23). Manjhi’s eldest son Santosh Kumar Suman is eyeing the Makhdumpur seat or any other safe reserved seat.