“This decision was taken to make Bihar proud,” wrote Chirag Paswan.
Patna:
The decision to challenge the upcoming Assembly elections against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is a “defining moment in the history of the state of Bihar,” Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti party said today in an open letter addressed to the people of the state. Highlighting the party slogan “Bihar First Bihari First”, Chirag Paswan, who nicknamed himself “Yuva Bihari (Young Bihari”), linked yesterday’s decision to Bihari’s pride.
“This decision was taken not to rule Bihar but to be proud,” the letter read. “This is the defining moment in the history of the state of Bihar – it is the question of life and death for 12 crore Biharis, we have no more time to waste,” he said. added.
In its official statement after the crucial meeting in Delhi yesterday, the LJP made it clear that it wanted the alliance with the BJP to continue, even if it rejected the leadership of Nitish Kumar.
No candidate will be presented against the BJP and “all the winning candidates will form a BJP-LJP government,” the party said, adding that there was no “bitterness” in the relationship with the BJP.
This position left the role of the BJP open to speculation. A section of NDA leaders suggested that Chirag Paswan’s bold move – to target Nitish Kumar for months, then go solo – would not have been possible without the tacit backing of the BJP leadership.
The BJP’s delay in complying with the LJP’s demand for a quick decision on the division of seats also left room for suspicion, especially after the party gave an ultimatum on the issue after a meeting with BJP leader JP Nadda last week.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah had made it clear that Mr. Kumar – five times chief minister – will remain the face of the NDA in Bihar, overcoming the objection of a section of BJP heads of state units.
Yesterday, Mr. Kumar’s BJP and JD (U) also decided on a 50/50 seat distribution. The BJP was due to allocate seats to the LJP on its share before Ram Vilas Paswan’s party made its announcement.
Mr. Paswan is in the hospital, recovering from heart surgery.
Of the 122 seats from JD (U), seven will be allocated to Jitin Ram Manjhi’s HAM. Of the 121 seats in the BJP, some seats will be allocated to Mukesh Nishad’s Vikassheel Insaan party.
