Seat-sharing discussions going well in ruling bloc, says Chirag

As the BJP state and central leadership mulled over the names of candidates for the assembly seats it is likely to contest, in what seems to be a first sign of rapprochement, LJP (RV) leader and union minister Chirag Paswan said on Wednesday that "discussions are going well on seat-sharing.'

- Vijay Swaroop

Chirag Paswan

Talking to reporters at Khagaria, he said, "I want to clearly state one thing that the discussions are going well and I believe that the right decision will be taken at the right time. As soon as the discussion is completed, it will be shared with you. Chirag Paswan only demands one thing that is to make Bihar first and Biharis first. Chirag's demand is neither regarding any post, nor regarding any anger towards anyone, nor regarding anyone's seats."

According to NDA leaders, both the BJP and JD(U) are keen to contest seats in three figures (JD-U-102, BJP-101). Chirag Paswan's LJP (Ram Vilas) is seeking 40-50 seats, but the BJP has proposed around 20-22.

Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) is demanding 15-18 seats, while the BJP is reportedly willing to offer it only 7-8.