The game plan is yet to be revealed by either side but the leading parties of the two alliances in Bihar are likely to play 20:20 in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
After the much-publicised yet unconfirmed reports that in NDA the BJP would contest 20 seats and give the remaining 20 seats to its allies, reports come from maha gathbandhan or grand alliance side, again unconfirmed, that the RJD would keep 20 seats and adjust its alliances in the remaining 20 seats.
The 20:20 formula has put the allies of the two alliances in an uncomfortable position but they are avoiding making any public reaction on the plea that they were still not informed about such formula. “No formal talk has yet been held on this matter,” said leader of an NDA ally who insisted that whatever be the seat sharing formula it should be discussed and finalised.
The RJD of Lalu Prasad, which claims to lead the maha gathbandhan, has reportedly sounded that it would field its candidates from 20 Lok Sabha seats which meant that it would spare 20 seats to other nine partners including Congress and possibly RLSP of Upendra Kushwaha. If RLSP remains with NDA, the seats would be distributed among eight allies.
Apart from RJD, the allies of maha gathbandhan included Congress, Lok Tantrik Janata Dal of Sharad Yadav, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) of Jitan Ram Manjhi, CPI, CPM, CPI(ML), Samajwadi Party and BSP. While one seat could be spared for Katihar MP Tariq Anwar who recently resigned from the NCP, the RJD is waiting for RLSP. The Left parties, particularly CPI(ML), and BSP are unlikely to accept this formula. Congress and HAM, which are supposed to get eight and one seat respectively under the formula, would also not be satisfied as they expect more.
RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, currently in a hospital in Ranchi in judicial custody, has reportedly sent a message through Tejahswi Prasad Yadav, who went to meet him last week, that the parties should not insist on more seats without any logic and only the winnable candidates be positioned.
In 2014, the RJD won four, Congress two and NCP one while JD(U), which was not an ally of any alliance, won two seats. The BJP had won 22, LJP six and RLSP three seats.
Earlier, filtered reports coming from the NDA side suggested that the BJP has almost finalised the seat sharing but was restrained to make it public in view of the resistance from the RLSP which rejected offer to only two seats to it. LJP of Ram Vilas Paswan was also unhappy over proposed four seats. Bihar LJP chief and a Minister in Nitish cabinet Pashupati Kumar Paras said in clear cut terms that his party would not accept less than six. “BJP being big brother should show big heart,” he said. As RJD is waiting for Kushwaha with open arms, party has also sent out a signal, “Come early and get benefit.”
In view of Kushwaha still blowing hot and cold in the NDA and not taking a final decision Tejashwi, who openly invited RLSP chief a dozen times, said if he takes a quick decision he might get more seats else he would be a loser.