Take it or leave it: Paswan offered just 2 seats by BJP

The diatribe between Ramvilas Paswan’s Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) and the BJP has increased the wedge between the parties, making Paswan’s return to the NDA increasingly impossible.

Paswan has been maintaining that he would go with the RJD-Congress or the NDA, depending on who offered more seats. However, Paswan’s bargaining has boomeranged with BJP state chief Gopal Singh accusing him of reducing politics to trade. Paswan’s lieutenant Sanjay Singh returned the compliment by saying Gopal Singh has lost his balance and doesn’t understand anything but a trader’s language. Today, the BJP spokesperson reminded Paswan that ‘‘politics is not a fish market’’.

‘‘Though Paswan says that all parties are in touch with him and trying to woo him, it is not true. Nobody is calling him up,’’ the BJP said curtly. A statement by the party said that it is a take it or leave it option for Paswan. He would get two seats — Hajipur and brother Ram Chandra Paswan’s Rosera. ‘‘If he wants more seats, he will have to negotiate with George Fernandes, convener of the NDA.’’