After Swabhiman rally; NDA allies meet, no discussion on seat-sharing

However, the NDA alliance partners  did not discuss the crucial issue, rather they brainstormed over different agenda to take on their rivals – JD(U), RJD and Congress –  in the poll-bound Bihar. 

According to sources, the NDA leaders discussed addressing contentious issues such as the Land Acquisition Bill and Patel reservation issue during the meet.

BJP fielded Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan to brief media, after their meeting, which lasted for over 90 minutes. Paswan said announcement on seat-sharing is likely to be made in a week and ruled out <g data-gr-id="41">conflict</g> among the allies over it. “As far as <g data-gr-id="39">division</g> of seats is concerned, it will be announced in a most amicable manner soon. It was not discussed on Monday. We talked about our campaign and NDA will win with <g data-gr-id="37">two-thirds</g> majority in Bihar,” Paswan said.

Dubbing the Swabhiman rally as a “flop show”, Paswan said it was an “insult” for Congress chief Sonia Gandhi who was made to speak before Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav and RJD chief Lalu Prasad.

Asked about his party’s and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party’s (RLSP) demand that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should contest only 102 seats and leave 142 for its allies, Paswan played it down and said it was decided that no statement on the issue would be made by leaders and only authorised party people will speak.

RLSP leader Upendra Kushwaha, whose party has been the most vocal and had even demanded that he be declared the NDA’s chief ministerial candidate, said the alliance would speak in one voice and their foremost priority was a big victory.

The meeting also decided to give a fillip to joint campaigning by NDA parties and that the campaign material of different constituents should give space to leaders of the allies.

 Former Chief Minister and Hindustani <g data-gr-id="31">Awam</g> Morcha (HAM) (Secular) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi said an announcement on the seat-sharing was expected by September 6-7.

They said the allies will hold talks over it after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Bhagalpur on Tuesday. Asked who would be their chief ministerial candidate, Paswan said, “Any A, B, C picked by Modi will be accepted to them.”