Mukesh Sahani refuses to contest in Election: Amidst the hustle and bustle of Bihar Assembly elections, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahni has taken a big U-turn. After announcing to contest elections from Gauda Bauram seat of Darbhanga district, he has now clearly refused to enter the electoral fray directly. Sahni cleared all the doubts by appearing before the media on Friday afternoon. Sahni clarified that he will not contest the assembly elections, but will campaign with full enthusiasm for the candidates of his party VIP. He bluntly said that his aim is not to become an MLA, but to become the Deputy CM after the formation of the Grand Alliance government. He also rejected the offer of Rajya Sabha seat from Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). This decision of Sahni has become a topic of discussion among his supporters and political circles.
Doubt on Gowda Bauram and RJD’s bet
Doubts about Mukesh Sahni contesting the elections started when the news of agreement on seats between VIP and allies (RJD and Congress) came late on Thursday night amidst the trouble over seat sharing in the alliance. VIP had said in the official statement that Mukesh Sahni is going to file nomination from Gowda Bauram seat on Friday. However, on the last day of nomination, RJD candidate Afzal Ali filed his nomination from Gowda Bauram. This incident had put a big question mark on Sahni contesting the elections. The RJD candidate’s filing of nomination papers at the last moment and then Sahni’s withdrawal, shows that this seat distribution in the Grand Alliance remained controversial till the last moment.
VIP’s claim: 15 seats, MLC and Rajya Sabha also
Before this decision of Mukesh Sahni, VIP’s national spokesperson Dev Jyoti had issued a statement late on Thursday night, in which it was claimed that there is a big deal in the Grand Alliance. The spokesperson had said that the matter of VIP has been finalized and they have got a total of 15 seats. It was also said in the statement that Mukesh Sahni will file nomination from Gowda Bauram and State President Bal Govind Bind will file nomination from Bhabua seat. The spokesperson had claimed that to compensate for getting less seats, RJD has assured them of giving them one Rajya Sabha and two Legislative Council (MLC) seats. However, Sahni himself has rejected the offer of Rajya Sabha seat, raising questions on the claim within the party.
Path to becoming Deputy CM: MLC’s path
The party has not given a clear reason as to why Sahni withdrew her decision to contest the elections after announcing her nomination from Gowda Bauram. But Sahni is firm on his demand for the post of Deputy CM. Political experts believe that if the Grand Alliance government is formed and Sahni has to become the Deputy CM, then it will be mandatory for him to be a member of any House. Not contesting the assembly elections means that now he will have to enter the government through the Legislative Council (MLC) route. According to VIP, RJD has promised to give him two MLC seats, which may clear the way for Sahni to the Legislative Council. This entire incident reflects Sahni’s political ambitions, where instead of becoming an MLA, he has given priority to directly claiming the post of Deputy Chief Minister.