Allies or Paswan: Cong has lots to think

As an apparent retaliatory exercise, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, soonafter an unsuccessful meeting with Laloo, opened negotiations with Lok Janshkati Party president Ram Vilas Paswan, who promptly offered her as many seats as she wished along with the chief ministership of Bihar. However, there was no panic in the rival camp and by the end of the day, Laloo had left for Patna. After pitching for 103 of the 243 seats, the Congress stood at crossroads today, unable to make up its mind whether to accept Laloo’s offer of around two dozen seats or go along Paswan to test its strength all over Bihar.

‘‘The Congress can have any number of seats in Bihar and I have offered the chief ministership to them if they tie-up with the LJP,’’ said Paswan. He, however, sought to downplay his isolation in the state. ‘‘There are people who are with me. My party’s morale is high and we will form the government,’’ he said.

Laloo’s strategy to isolate Congress met with success after a meeting with allies. CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury declared: ‘‘All four of us (RJD, CPM, CPI and NCP) will be going together. We are talking to Congress and have asked it to come on board. Things will be clear in the coming two-three days.’’

Sources said Laloo, during his meeting with Sonia, insisted that past performance of parties be made the basis of determining their share. He wanted the extension of the formula to Jharkhand, which guaranteed him 19 seats, compared to the nine given by the Congress-JMM combine.