BJP faces problem of plenty in Bihar as it braces to navigate demands of 5 NDA allies

Chirag was recently brought into the NDA fold, with speculations rising over his name being considered for a berth in the Union ministry. He has made it clear that an amicable relationship with his uncle Paras was nowhere on the horizon — and it remains to be seen how the BJP will navigate this situation.

Then comes the question of seats.

Chirag has reportedly demanded six Lok Sabha seats and a Rajya Sabha seat — the same arrangement was in place in 2019 too for the undivided Lok Janshakti Party before the uncle-nephew duo’s differences split the party.

He has also reportedly asked the BJP for more clarity on the seats before Tuesday’s meet.

An LJP (RV) source, speaking to The Indian Express, said: “Chirag Paswan wants clarity on the number of seats and a commitment from BJP. When we attend the NDA meet, there has to be clarity on our agenda of discussion.”

A major point of contention is the Hajipur seat, from where Paras is the current MP. Chirag had told The Indian Express in a recent interview that he or his mother, Reena Paswan, were looking to contest from Hajipur. The battle here is key — a prestige battle hinging on the question of legacy – as it was represented by Ram Vilas Paswan nine times.

Paras, who has ruled out any possible of a unification of the factions of the party founded by Ram Vilas Paswan, has indicated he was not going to budge as far as Hajipur was concerned.

“There is only one lion in the jungle. My brother (Ram Vilas) often used to tell me that he trusts me more than his son. I am the real heir of his political legacy,” Paras told reporters on Sunday.

Among other NDA allies is the Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal, led by former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha. There is no clarity on the number of seats it is eyeing.

In 2014, Kushwaha’s party in its earlier avatar, the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, had won in all three seats it had contested from. But Kushwaha might have lesser bargaining power this time, with the BJP having five probable allies.

The parties’ negotiations in Bihar are also tied to the caste of the leaders, and their support bases. Kushwaha (also the name of the community he belongs to) might have another hurdle. Recently, BJP elevated Samrat Choudhary, also from the Kushwaha community, as its state president. How the BJP will manage two leaders from the same community remains to be seen.

Former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi’s party, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), is influential in the Magadh region, but it drew a blank in the last polls. The party has so far not indicated the number of seats it is looking for this time.

Sources in The Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), led by Economically Backward Caste (EBC) Mallah leader Mukesh Sahani, said that VIP has been looking to contest in two seats.