Chirag-NDA Seat Sharing Update: As the dates of Bihar Assembly elections approach, the ongoing tussle over seat sharing in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has now reached its final stage. There were reports for the last several days that Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Chirag Paswan would not agree to less than 40 assembly seats and he had created a big crisis for the alliance. But now a huge claim is being made quoting sources: Chirag Paswan may agree to contest elections on 25 seats!
The reason behind this big consent is the ‘VIP guarantee’ he got from BJP. According to sources, Chirag Paswan has been assured that in return for agreeing to 25 seats, he will be given more importance and bigger ministries from the Center to the Bihar government. Apart from this, his party may also be offered a Rajya Sabha seat. Only after this solid confidence received from BJP, Chirag Paswan’s tough stance has softened and he can agree to contest 25 seats.
Chirag Paswan’s response: ‘All is well’
Chirag Paswan’s possible consent on seat sharing is also indicated from his statements. Chirag, who was earlier showing rebellious attitude, now says that all is ‘all is well’ in NDA and soon an announcement regarding seat sharing will be made. On Thursday, many big leaders of BJP and LJP remained busy in meetings continuously throughout the day. Apart from Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was also present in these important meetings, which shows that the central leadership itself was engaged in resolving this issue. Chirag Paswan said after these meetings that everything is going very well and things are in the final stage. However, at present nothing is being said officially by any party regarding the number of seats, but it is almost certain that Chirag has agreed on 25 seats. This agreement is part of the BJP’s larger strategy, under which it wants to strongly use the young and aggressive leadership of Chirag Paswan against the Grand Alliance, especially to challenge the young leadership of Tejashwi Yadav.
Demand for time for election campaign
BJP does not want to delay any more on seat sharing. The biggest reason for this is the election dates. In Bihar, the first phase of voting is to be held on 6 November and the second phase of voting is to be held on 11 November. In such a situation, BJP wants its candidates to get at least 20 days time for the campaign, so that they can start campaigning with full force on their seats. BJP was busy in arranging allies like Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chirag Paswan in the alliance, due to which the announcement was getting delayed. Now after Chirag’s consent, it will become easier to reach consensus with other smaller allies also. Chirag Paswan was continuously arguing that his party’s strike rate in the Lok Sabha elections was very good, hence they should be given more seats. Now instead of giving them more seats, BJP has chosen the path of giving them more political importance.
Chirag’s aspiration and Tejashwi’s encounter
There is also discussion in political circles that Chirag Paswan also aspires to become the Chief Minister. Assuring him of greater importance at the Center and the state could be a strategy by the BJP to calm his big aspirations and prepare him for future politics. It will be interesting to see how strongly Chirag Paswan fights on 25 seats, because he will have a direct contest with young leader Tejashwi Yadav. If NDA announces seat sharing soon, it will also increase pressure on the Grand Alliance, where there is no less tension between RJD and Congress regarding seats. Chirag Paswan’s insistence on reducing 40 seats to 25 is a big political compromise, the price of which he will get in the form of getting a bigger post or ministry in the future. The people of Bihar are now eagerly waiting for this final announcement.
