Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP to contest on 17 seats in Bihar, unveils new alliance formula

A file photo of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with Home Minister Amit Shah.

In a decisive break from conventional political norms, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), traditionally a supporting entity to Nitish Kumar in Bihar politics, has assumed a commanding role for the first time. This strategic shift puts the BJP into a leading position within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state, marking a notable departure from its prior subordinate role. Under a newly forged agreement, the BJP is slated to contest 17 out of Bihar's 40 seats, indicating its heightened importance within the alliance.

Following the resolution of a deadlock with Chirag Paswan's faction of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), this reshuffling has occurred. According to the finalised agreement reported by television channel NDTV, Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United (JD-U) will contest 16 seats, while Chirag Paswan's LJP will compete for five seats. Additionally, Upendra Kushwaha and Jitan Ram Manjhi will each vie for one seat.

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Moneycontrol could not verify the report independently.

The arrangement of seat-sharing with the BJP could potentially strain relations with Chirag's estranged uncle, Pashupati Kumar Paras. Following the demise of Ram Vilas Paswan, Paras had departed with five out of the six MPs who secured victories in the 2019 elections.

More importantly, the development suggests that Chirag will now be aligned with his longtime adversary, Nitish Kumar. Kumar, who recently ended his association with the RJD and Congress to realign with the NDA, signifies a notable transformation in Bihar's political arena.

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Chirag, who had previously asserted his influential position by stating that "Every Party, Every Coalition Wants Me To Be On Its Side," ultimately accepted to settle for five seats. However, following the meeting with the top BJP leadership, he explicitly declared that his uncle Pashupati Paras would not be allocated any seat from his quota.

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Following a prolonged feud between Pashupati Paras and Chirag for control within the LJP, a resolution has finally been reached. Chirag, firm in his determination to attain full control over the Hajipur parliamentary seat and the party as a whole, has emerged victorious from this internal struggle.

Reports suggest that the BJP has not offered any commitments to Pashupati Paras as of now. However, there is ongoing speculation that the BJP could potentially nominate him to the Rajya Sabha from its quota in the future.

Remarkably, the conclusion of the agreement represents a significant win for the saffron party. Earlier sidelined after Nitish's departure to the Grand Alliance, the BJP now finds itself in a stronger position with his return.