With the Lok Sabha elections looming just weeks ahead, reports suggest that the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar has extended an offer of eight Lok Sabha seats to Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan.
Sources revealed to India Today TV that the Grand Alliance is exerting pressure on Chirag Paswan and actively seeking his inclusion in the Bihar Grand Alliance. As part of this effort, he has proposed eight Lok Sabha seats in Bihar and an additional two Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh.
Ongoing disputes between the national president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and MP Chirag Paswan, as well as his uncle and central minister Pashupati Paras, have led to persistent delays in seat allocation within the NDA, prompting concerns.
According to insider information, discussions are underway to allocate six seats to Chirag Paswan and Pashupati Paras within the NDA, but both parties are hesitant. Chirag Paswan asserts that the Lok Janshakti Party's claim to six seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections remains valid, based on their performance in 2019 when they secured six MPs, even before the party split.
On the contrary, Pashupati Paras contends that five of the six Lok Janshakti Party MPs now support him, and given that his faction is part of the National Lok Janshakti Party, he also lays claim to six seats.
A further conflict arises between the uncle and nephew over the Hajipur Lok Sabha seat, with both expressing a desire to contest. Presently, Pashupati Paras holds the Hajipur MP position, but Chirag Paswan stakes his claim on the seat, citing the legacy of his late father Ram Vilas Paswan. Disputes between Chirag and Pashupati Paras regarding the Hajipur seat persist.
Nitish Kumar's return to the NDA has added complexity to the seat-sharing issue, particularly for Chirag Paswan.
Chirag Paswan's stance on the Grand Alliance's offer remains unclear. However, if he finds the NDA's proposal unsatisfactory, the Grand Alliance presents an alternative option, as indicated by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who hinted at welcoming Chirag Paswan into the fold, emphasizing that the decision lies with those interested in joining the Grand Alliance.
