Paswan sticks to his guns: No less than 16 seats in Bihar

It is widely believed that the UPA – particularly the RJD – owes its spectacular performance in Bihar in the last polls to Paswan. The RJD had won 22 seats,the Congress three,while the LJP just four. Just a year later,the RJD was badly defeated in the Assembly polls and then Paswan’s LJP had gone alone. LJP leaders now feel that the RJD needs more than they need them and thereby it should come for a price.

“If we go alone our tally of four MPs remains intact. The RJD,however,cannot hope to win 22 seats without us. In an alliance both parties should gain. The RJD should not behave like it is the donor and others are at his mercy. This equation must change this time if they want an alliance,” Paswan told ‘The Indian Express’.

While slamming Lalu,Paswan is careful to maintain his relations with Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Recently Paswan met Gandhi and told her that Lalu’s stocks at the hustings had declined sharply and the UPA thereby cannot hope to win enough seats by depending on the RJD. He even stressed that the Congress and LJP should combine to stop Lalu from bossing over seat-sharing in the state.

If Paswan sticks to his guns then the UPA is set to be in a disarray in Bihar in the polls. It is quite clear that the RJD can concede some more seats for the LJP but no way can give 16 seats. The LJP had contested eight seats in alliance with the RJD-Congress. It has been learnt that the RJD is ready to increase it to 10-11. If Paswan remains adamant and does not withdraw his candidates then a friendly fight on some places is certain.

The Congress,which depends on the two allies in Bihar,is sure to face a tough time to get them on the negotiating table. Moreover,the Congress itself wants to contest more seats than the last time in the state.