After much consultations and last minute meetings the mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar finally announced its seat sharing adjustment on Friday.
Out of the 40 seats, the RJD is contesting in 20 seats, Congress 9, Upendra Kushwaha –led Rashtriya Lok Samata Party 5, Jitan Ram Manjhi –led Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) 3, and Mukesh Sahni-led Vikasheel Insaan party 3 seats.
The RJD has spared one seat to the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) from its own quota.
It has also been decided that the first Rajya Sabha seat which would come to the mahagathbandhan alliance would go to the Congress.
Names of mahagathbandhan candidates to contest first phase poll on April 11 on four seats in Bihar too were announced.
Former chief minister and HAM(S) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi will be contesting from Gaya, while RLSP candidate Bhudeo Chaudhury has been fielded from Jamui. HAM(S) leader Upendra Prasad will contest from Aurangabad and RJD’s Veebha Devi from Nawada.
The announcement was made by RJD’s state leader leader Ram Chandra Purve and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha.
The leaders of the mahagathbandhan had marathon meeting at 10, Circular Road residence of former chief minister Rabri Devi where Tejashwi Yadav currently lives, to finalise the list. Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav too was present in the meeting.
It is said that Mr. Sharad Yadav is likely to contest the Lok Sabha poll on RJD ticket and would merge his party with the RJD after the elections.
Sitting Aurangabad MP’s supporters protest
Meanwhile, supporters of senior state Congress leader Nikhil Kumar who earlier had represented Aurangabad parliamentary seat, staged protest at party’s regional headquarters Sadaquat Ashram.
“The Aurangabad seat has gone to Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) under seat sharing arrangement… we’ll not tolerate this and protest this move everywhere in the State”, said the protesting supporters who blamed, “state congress president and party leader Akhilesh Singh for playing mischief.”
NDA to release candidate list tomorrow
The NDA, which had announced its seat share for alliance partners BJP, JD(U) and LJP as 17:17: 06 long time back, is likely to announce names of candidates on Saturday.
“Yes, we’ll announce name of candidates in second half tomorrow (Saturday)”, Lok Janshakti Party president Pashupati Kumar Paras said.