As the Lok Sabha elections are just weeks away now, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar has reportedly offered eight Lok Sabha seats to Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan.
According to India Today TV sources, the Grand Alliance is also putting pressure on Chirag Paswan and making efforts to include him in the Bihar Grand Alliance. He has been offered eight Lok Sabha seats to join the Bihar Grand Alliance and two Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh.
Due to the dispute between the national president of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and MP Chirag Paswan, and his uncle and central minister Pashupati Paras, there is a continuous delay in seat sharing in the NDA, which is raising questions.
According to sources, there is talk of giving six seats to Chirag Paswan and Pashupati Paras in the NDA, but both are not ready for it. Chirag Paswan's demand is that when the Lok Janshakti Party was not split and according to the formula of 2019 when their 6 MPs won, their claim remains on 6 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as well.
On the other hand, Pashupati Paras also claims that five out of the six MPs of Lok Janshakti Party are now with him, and his party is a part of the National Lok Janshakti Party, so in such a situation, his claim is also valid on 6 seats.
Another battle is between the uncle and nephew over the Hajipur Lok Sabha seat, where both want to contest. Currently, Pashupati Paras is the MP from Hajipur, but Chirag Paswan has also staked his claim on the Hajipur seat citing the legacy of his late father Ram Vilas Paswan. There is also a dispute between Chirag and Pashupati Paras regarding the Hajipur seat.
After Nitish Kumar's return to the NDA, the issue of seat sharing has become more complicated, especially for Chirag Paswan.
It is not clear what Chirag Paswan's stance is on the offer from the Grand Alliance, but if he does not find the NDA's offer suitable, the path of the Grand Alliance is open for him, reported India Today TV. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has also hinted at opening the doors of the Mahagathbandhan for Chirag Paswan, stating that those who want to join the Grand Alliance must make the decision.
Source: India Today