Patna: The JD(U), a key INDIA bloc partner, has expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in finalizing seat-sharing arrangements with alliance partners.
Bihar Finance Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, a trusted associate of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, emphasised the need for an early resolution, stating that it would benefit the alliance.
Mr. Chaudhary in a statement on Saturday stressed the importance of concluding the seat-sharing deal promptly, noting that it should have been finalized earlier.
“It has been our stand from the beginning that the seat-sharing agreement should be settled without delay. It’s time for us to resolve these matters and connect with our voters. Seat sharing will prove beneficial for the alliance”, Finance Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said.
The statement follows a closed-door meeting with Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Patna. Tejashwi Yadav had met Nitish Kumar at his residence in Patna on Friday to discuss the contentious issue. Sources indicate that seat-sharing distribution with alliance partners in Bihar was among the key agenda for the meeting.
Reports suggest that both the JD(U) and RJD are vying for an equal number of seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Insiders from the Grand Alliance said that both the parties want to contest 16 seats each. It is speculated that Nitish Kumar and RJD Chief Lalu Yadav may offer six seats to the Congress and two seats to the left parties in an attempt to strike a balance.
The delay in seat distribution gave an opportunity to the opposition parties especially the BJP to train guns at the INDIA bloc leaders.
When asked about their reaction the grand alliance leaders in Patna said that the issue will be finalized before January 14 and is likely to be announced after the auspicious Makar Sankranti.
“The matter is being discussed and is likely to be finalized soon. We are hopeful that seat distribution with alliance partners will be finalized after the auspicious Makar Sankranti. The opposition parties are unnecessarily trying to spread rumours to create confusion in the state. They will not succeed this time”, RJD leaders in Patna said.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, JD(U) in alliance with the BJP had contested 17 seats each. The BJP had won 17 while its partner JD(U) got 16 seats and LJP six seats.
