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As the BJP signals its intent to dominate the election by eyeing 120 seats, a jittery JD(U) insists on a 50-50 split as the Paswan factor looms
With the polls inching closer, the NDA is showing more signs of internal friction than cohesion. (PTI)
Ahead of the formal launch of seat-sharing talks, the NDA in Bihar is currently grappling with growing internal competition over constituencies.
As the BJP signals its intent to dominate the election by eyeing 120 seats, a jittery JD(U) insists on a 50-50 split. Add to this the Chirag Paswan wildcard that neither Nitish Kumar nor BJP quite want, which may look like a ticking electoral time bomb.
With the polls inching closer, the NDA is showing more signs of internal friction than cohesion. The BJP, buoyed by its Lok Sabha performance and sensing Nitish Kumar’s slipping popularity, is quietly preparing to assert its control over the alliance. Party insiders said the BJP wants to contest as many as 120 out of the 243 seats, which may effectively reduce the seats for the JD(U) on its home turf.
Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, JD(U) national spokesperson, however, said the formal discussion for seat-sharing is yet to start. “The NDA, comprising all its Bihar constituents, is gearing up to contest all 243 seats together under the leadership of Nitish Kumar. While formal seat-sharing talks are yet to begin, there is clarity and unity in our camp. In contrast, the Mahagathbandhan is riddled with internal tantrums and constituency-level chaos.”
The JD(U) is not going down quietly. Having already suffered a major blow by playing second fiddle to BJP in the general elections, Kumar’s party is now pushing hard for a 50-50 seat-sharing formula. “The JDU believes in half-and-half seat-sharing formulas. All NDA constituents are together and there is no crack over seat sharing,” added Prasad.
Sources in the party indicate that the JD(U)’s organisational strength is eroding, and its vote bank among Muslims, EBCs and Mahadalits is showing signs of drift. Adding to the pressure is the return of a familiar ghost—crime. The surge in law-and-order incidents and related concerns is reviving memories of Bihar’s ‘jungle raj’, denting Nitish Kumar’s long-standing “Sushasan Babu” image.
Amidst the brewing storm stands Union minister Chirag Paswan, the leader of the LJP. He now wants his share to grow in Bihar politics. But both BJP and JD(U) are reluctant. While BJP fears that Paswan’s ambition might lead to parallel posturing among voters, JD(U) sees him as a direct threat. Neither the BJP nor the JDU wants Paswan to fight elections, though ruling JDU is keen on LJP contesting on 20-25 seats.
Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa…Read More
Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa… Read More
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