Bihar mahagathbandhan struggles in allocating constituencies among allies

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Bihar mahagathbandhan struggles to allocate constituencies among allies

Uncertainty continues: Tejashwi Yadav and leaders of the Bihar Mahagathbandhan in New Delhi recently. AP  

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General Elections 2019

The mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar has hit a roadblock over allocation of constituencies among alliance partners.

On March 22, the mahagathbandhan announced that the RJD will be contesting in 20 out of the 40 seats in Bihar, while Congress will fight elections from 9 constituencies. 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) too were alloted seats. The CPI-ML will be contesting in one seat under RJD’s quota.

Even before the allocation of constituencies among allies were finalised, the RJD had decided to field senior party leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui from Darbhanga. Mr. Siddiqui is the sitting MLA from Darbhanga.

The Congress party too had staked strong claim on Darbhanga seat for Kirti Jha Azad, who recently had joined the party. Mr. Azad is sitting BJP MP from Darbhanga but was suspended from the party for his “anti-party activities.”

Expressing annoyance over RJD’s move, the state Congress leaders have reached Delhi to meet party president Rahul Gandhi to apprise him about “RJD’s bullying tactics.”

“The onus of maintaining gathanbandhan does not rely only on us… if RJD will not concede our demand we too will put up our candidate from Karakat seat from where RLSP leader Upendra Kushwaha is contesting polls,” senior state Congress leader Kaukab Quadri had told media persons on Wednesday.

Rebel BJP leader and Patna Sahib MP Shatrughan Sinha is also expected to join the Congress on Thursday in the presence of Mr. Gandhi.

Back in Patna, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav who is also Leader of Opposition in State Assembly cancelled his poll campaign trips to Jamui, Banka and Katihar, and is meeting party leaders.

Alliance partner and president of HAM(S) Jitan Ram Manjhi, who was campaigning in Gaya has been called back to Patna. Mr. Manjhi is contesting elections from Gaya (reserved) constituency.

The Grand Alliance, earlier, announced that it will hold a press meet on Thursday evening in a hotel in Patna. It is expected that names of candidates for remaining 31 seats will be announced.

“Let’s see what happens by the evening today…nothing can be said at this time of last minute fast-paced development”, an RJD leader told The Hindu.

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