Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, October 2
Chirag Paswan, the LJP President, is playing cards close to his chest—keeping the door open for negotiation with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and simultaneously attacking its main ally and chief minister Nitish Kumar.
The move of LJP is keeping BJP on tenterhooks even after two days of the nominations which began on Monday. LJP is still undecided on continuing support to BJP. Parliamentary board of the party will meet in New Delhi on Saturday evening to take a final call.
On Friday, Chirag Paswan alleged that the seven resolves (Saat Nischay) of the chief minister, Nitish Kumar was a total flop and marked with corruption in the villages. He said nothing has been done to improve the condition in the villages.
Sanjay Jaiswal, state president of BJP literally questioned the leadership of Chirag and said the delay in reaching seat sharing was because Ram Vilas Paswan was ill. “If he was in good condition, the scene could have been different and seats sharing finalised by now.”
Last month, senior Paswan in a statement had declared Chirag has full authority on his behalf and he agreed for all decisions taken by his son.
Meanwhile, the BJP election committee which met here for two consecutive days decided to shift the scene to New Delhi and its senior leaders, former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and party general secretary Bhupinder Yadav left for New Delhi in the evening.
Union minister Ravishankar Prasad said the party president, J P Nadda has formed a three-members committee for negotiations with the other partners in the NDA.
Parliamentary board of the BJP will meet on Sunday in New Delhi to announce the names of the party candidates for the first phase of polling as nominations would close for 71 seats.
Three senior leaders of JDU, Bashistha Narain Singh, Sanjay Kumar Jha and Ashok Kumar Chaudhury held day-long meeting with the chief minister and JDU national president, Nitish Kumar on selection of the party candidates. Their names would be announced after the BJP and LJP agree on seat sharing.
