BJP Announces First List For Bihar, Ally Upendra Kushwaha’s Party Upset

A day after coming to an understanding with its allies about the seat sharing for Bihar elections, the BJP announced a list of 43 candidates — a move its ally Rashtriya Lok Samata Party promptly described as being against “coalition dharma”.

Senior RLSP leader and its spokesperson Fazal Islam Mallik told the BJP’s move was unfair. “The RLSP strongly objects to this move by the BJP. The BJP and its allies are still discussing seat sharing.”

On Monday, the BJP had announced a seat sharing deal under which the LSP was given 23 seats, Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party was given 40 and Jitan Ram Manhji’s newly formed Hindustani Awaam Morcha (Secular) was given 20 seats.

While the formula placated Mr Manjhi – who wanted a larger share of seats — it had left Mr Paswan miffed.

Now the RLSP — which commands a chunk of votes among the Keori community — contends that the deal is yet to be sealed, since only the numbers of seats have been decided and discussions are on regarding the constituencies the allies get to contest.

Elections will be held in Bihar in five phases beginning October 12. The counting will be held on November 8.

The BJP list, announced this evening after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the senior leaders of his party, gives “50% preference” to youth and women, said Union minister JP Nadda.

Of the 43 candidates, 19 will be fielded on Phase 1 of the polls, 15 in Phase 2 and nine in the rest.

The allies – who currently have 25 of the 81-odd seats going to polls in the first two phases — are expected to announce their candidates soon. Sources in the BJP said the party was in no mood to let the dissent spread and it was discussing the candidates for the allies. To that end, the BJP has set up three teams which will report to Amit Shah.

Bihar leaders Ashwini Chaubey and Mangal Pandey will be dealing with RLSP, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan with Mr Paswan and agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh with Mr Manjhi.