Tribune News Service
Patna, March 29
After prolonged discussions, the mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) today allocated all 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state, announcing candidature of RJD leader Misa Bharti from Pataliputra, besides Congress’ Meira Kumar from Sasaram.
As per the seat-sharing formula, the RJD has got 20 seats, out of which it will allow one to the CPI(ML), the Congress has got nine, Upendra Kushwaha’s RLSP five and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM and Mukesh Sahni’s VIP three each.
The announcement was made by Tejashwi Yadav at a press conference, but the absence of any senior Congress leader on the occasion showed the party’s displeasure over arm-twisting by the RJD. In fact, today’s announcement was about 31 out of the 40 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. The announcement about the remaining nine constituencies has already been made.
“No alliance partner will field a candidate in Arrah as mahagathbandhan will extend support to the CPI(ML). The RJD will also declare its candidate from Sheohar in two-three days,” said Yadav.
RJD stalwart and former Bihar minister Abdul Badi Siddqui would challenge BJP nominee Gopal Ji Thakur from Darbhanga.
Former Bihar minister Chandrika Rai, father-in-law of Lalu’s elder son Tej Pratap Yadav, would contest from Saran as RJD nominee and take on BJP’s Rajiv Pratap Ruddy.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker and Congress nominee Meira Kumar would contest from Sasaram. Lalu’s elder son Tej Pratap Yadav also announced that he would contest as an Independent from Saran.
From Patliputra, Lalu Prasad’s elder daughter Misa Bharti would be in fray challenging Union Minister and BJP nominee Ram Kripal Yadav.
‘Arm-twisted’ by RJD, Congress upset
- Speculation is rife that the absence of senior Congress leaders at the press conference, where former MLC Narendra Kumar Singh was a representative, is an indication of its leadership being sore over being arm-twisted by the RJD to give up its claim on the Darbhanga seat from where RJD's Abdul Bari Siddiqui will contest
- It draws the curtains on possibility of sitting MP Kirti Azad seeking re-election as a Congress candidate, who recently joined the party after quitting the BJP
- This has resulted in an embarrassment to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who had inducted Kirti Azad with much fanfare
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