LJP announces 12 candidates in first Bihar poll list

In an indication that the seat-sharing heart burn among the NDA allies is now a thing of the past, the Lok Jan Shakti Party on Friday announced the names of 12 candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections.

While Pashupati Kumar Paras, Paswan’s younger brother who is also the state LJP president, will contest from Alauli, Raj has been fielded from Kalyanpur. The problem has turned so complicated that the allies are yet to iron out differences and reach out at the seat adjustments though the nomination process for the first phase of polling has already begun.

BJP deserves credit for the way it cleverly and delicately managed to strike a balance between dissenting partners in the seat distribution and walk away with the lion’s share of seats itself.

BJP’s seat distribution, contrary to what its allies might allege, has been fair. While the BJP, with its fortunes increased is contesting on more seats than it previously did, there is discontent in the state unit because of the party’s emphasis on including younger faces and more non-upper caste candidates.

He expressed his special sympathy for the Lok Janshakti Party chief saying that Paswan was harassed by the Bharatiya Janata Party as seen in the seat sharing formula.

There was a feeling in the party that Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) of former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and RLSP of Union minister Upendra Kushwaha had got a “better deal” which was disproportionate to their political strength in the state. It is also poised in a neck-to-neck battle in another 33 seats, which can go either way in the final run.

Bihar will witness five-phased elections between October 12 to November 5.

Manjhi displayed the same fighting spirit that held back incumbent chief minister Nitish Kumar’s return to the helm earlier this year before he was expelled from the Janata Dal (United) as he engaged in intense bargaining after refusing to settle for 15 seats initially offered to his fledgling party.

Meanwhile, peeved over denial of ticket, two BJP MLAs-Aman Kumar and Ajay Mandal-met Chief Minister Nitish Kumar this afternoon amid indication that they would join the grand secular alliance in the elections.

The party is said to have come to a consensus on candidates for 29 out of 40 seats it will contest.