Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president and Union Minister Chirag Paswan has strongly affirmed the unity within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), asserting that his party has consistently upheld the alliance’s dignity. Speaking in an exclusive interview, Paswan clarified that there were no internal conflicts with the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) and that the seat-sharing arrangements were resolved amicably.
Paswan highlighted his practice of refraining from discussing alliance negotiations with the media to avoid creating confusion. He admitted that even his silence had led to speculation, but maintained that his priority was always to preserve the alliance’s dignity and that such discussions should occur within the alliance itself.
Previously, Paswan had voiced concerns about the Bihar government, led by the JD(U), citing rising crime rates and expressing his disappointment in supporting an administration unable to curb it. However, he dismissed recent rumors of discord, reaffirming his commitment to the NDA. He noted that his requests regarding seat allocations were met during the initial negotiation phase, leaving no grounds for conflict.
Paswan detailed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed the seat-sharing negotiations efficiently. The LJP-RV was offered a pool of 38 seats from which they selected 29, a process he described as seamless, thus eliminating any potential for disputes.
Addressing speculation about his alleged anger or demands for a larger share, Paswan clarified his stance: he did not want the BJP or JD(U) to contest fewer than 100 seats, recognizing the need for major parties in a large alliance to have a significant presence.
Comparing the NDA to the Mahagathbandhan, Paswan praised the BJP’s role as a coordinating ‘nodal agency’ within the NDA. He contrasted this with the opposition’s perceived lack of coordination and a central body to manage negotiations. Paswan emphasized that by not engaging with other parties directly, the BJP was able to effectively manage the consensus-building process.
Under the seat-sharing agreement, LJP-RV is set to contest 29 out of the 243 assembly seats in Bihar. The BJP and JD(U) will each contest 101 seats, while the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) will contest six seats each.
While the NDA has announced its candidate lists, the Mahagathbandhan, comprising the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), CPI (ML), and VIP, is reportedly facing challenges in finalizing its seat-sharing arrangement.
Bihar is scheduled for polls in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with vote counting on November 14. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to visit the state on October 24.