Patna: After initial tensions over the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) independent announcement of candidates for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Bihar, the INDIA alliance has successfully finalized seat-sharing arrangements.
While most constituencies have been allocated smoothly, one constituency will witness a friendly contest between the RJD and the Congress, despite being allies in the INDIA alliance.
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In the agreement, the RJD, which faced a setback in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, securing no seats, will contest from 26 out of Bihar’s 40 seats. The Congress has been allocated nine seats, while the Left parties will contest from five seats – three for the CPIML and one each for CPI and CPM.
Despite expectations of smoother negotiations following the return of Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal United to the NDA fold, discussions took time, but a consensus has been reached, said a senior politician on condition of anonymity.
RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha, alongside Congress leaders and others, announced the agreement at a press conference, expressing confidence in their victory.
However, some experts note that the Congress, under the INDIA alliance, hasn’t been able to secure a favourable terms, evident in seats like Purnea, Supaul and Madhepura going to the RJD. The Jan Adhikar Party (Loktantrik) had recently merged with the Congress, with Pappu Yadav expected to contest from Purnea and his wife Rajeev Ranjan having won Supaul in 2014 under the Congress banner.
The CPI will contest from Begusarai, where it previously fielded Kanhaiya Kumar, now with the Congress.
Bihar holds significant importance for the INDIA alliance, given its substantial contribution to Lok Sabha seats, with 39 out of 40 seats won by the NDA in 2019, and one by the Congress.
Despite setbacks like Nitish Kumar’s defection back to the NDA, the Opposition alliance remains resilient, preparing for elections spread across all seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with counting scheduled for June 4.
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