Paswan to support Muslim DyCM if RJD-LJP alliance wins

Overcoming last-minute hiccups,RJD and LJP had clinched the alliance on August 16 under which they will contest in 168 and 75 seats respectively.

Lalu Prasad was declared the chief ministerial candidate of the alliance while LJP Bihar unit chief Pashupati Kumar Paras,younger brother of Paswan,was announced as a deputy chief minister aspirant.

Asked whether his new demand means Paras will no longer be the deputy chief ministerial candidate of the alliance,Paswan replied in negative saying there can be two deputy chief ministers and there are many precedents in this regard.

After the February 2005 assembly elections,Paswan had insisted on a Muslim chief minister and as no consensus could be reached on the issue among other parties,the state had to face yet another election in October 2005 in which NDA emerged victorious.

Paswan,however,said there is no differences on the issue of Muslim deputy chief minister this time.

“We will accept any Muslim candidate for the job,whoever the community leaders select,” Paswan said.

Sources say that as under the existing alliance arrangement,the Chief Minister is from RJD and one deputy chief minister is from RJD,there is a feeling in both parties that an independent Muslim candidate can be projected as another deputy chief ministerial candidate.

Paswan also said both RJD and LJP will fight the election under a joint manifesto,which will have a “time-bound programme for the development of Muslims”.

“Muslim community leaders will be asked to give us a comprehensive plan for the community’s development,which will be incorporated in our manifesto,” Paswan said.

Sources in the alliance said they are confident that a large section of the around 16 per cent Muslim voters will support it. They are confident of getting large chunk of Other Backward Caste (OBC) and Dalit votes too.

“JD-U being in alliance with BJP will not be able to fetch considerable Muslims votes whereas Congress has recently joined hands with BJP on many issues,which have not gone down well with Muslims. Moreover,Congress is seen more as a spolier of votes in the states rather than being in a position to win elections,” a senior LJP leader said.