Quite ahead of the united fight by the JD(U) and the RJD in the October-November Assembly elections, the two parties, now on verge of merger, will have to show their solidarity in the legislative Council election for 24 seats to be held in a couple of months. The seat sharing for this election is being billed as litmus test for unity of the JD(U) and the RJD ahead the merger for the big battle.
The members of legislative Council are indirectly elected through an electoral college. The electorate in these elections will be ward members, mukhiya, panchayat members, district boards' members, MPs and MlAs of the respective constituencies. The term of 24 sitting members would expire on July 16. Voting for filling 24 seats is expected in the second week of July. Of the 24 seats, 13 are held by the JD(U), five by the BJP, three by the RJD and three are Independents. Among the JD(U) members due to retire include deputy chairman of legislative Council Salim Parvez. The big challenge before the two parties will be the seat sharing.
The top of leaders of both the parties who are meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday in the presence of Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, who has been designated as president of the new party involving six Janata Parivar constituents, are likely to discuss this issue. According to reliable sources an understanding was being worked out between the RJD and the JD(U) to share 11 seats each and leave two for the Congress. If this understanding materialised, the RJD and the Congress would be gainers. A meeting was held among the State leaders of the JD(U), the RJD and the Congress at the residence of State JD(U) chief Bashistha Narain Singh on Monday. The final decision would be made by RJD president lalu Prasad and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in consultation with Mulayam, sources said.
The BJP is expected to contest all the 24 seats while leaving a few seats to its allies lJP and RlSP. According to senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi a panel of three to four was being prepared for each seat and after seat sharing with allies, the names of the candidates would be made public. In 2009, the BJP had contested the Council election in alliance with the JD(U) while the lJP was then ally of RJD.
lJP sources said the party has planned to field candidates on six seats. last time the lJP in alliance with the RJD had contested four seats and won three. The party has staked its claim on its preferred seats and waiting the response from the BJP. The RlSP also wants five seats. For the first time, the CPI(Ml) is also planning to field its candidates in the election to Council which the ultra left party had been ignoring so far since it was opposed to the existence of the Upper House of the legislative body. State secretary of CPI(Ml) Kunal said the seats have been identified and in most likelihood all the left parties would contest jointly. The CPI has decided to contest three seats while CPM might field candidates on two seats.