Bihar elections: HM Shah, Nadda meet on seat-sharing strategy amid hectic parleys with LJP

As BJP anunced ex-Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis as party's in-charge in poll-bound Bihar, it sought to scotch speculation about differences with Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party, asserting that all three National Democratic Alliance partners will fight Bihar assembly polls toger. BJP chief JP Nadda held a long meeting with Bihar general secretary Bhupendra Yadav, Home Minister Amit Shah and after meeting, Yadav said that seat-sharing will be finalised soon. With only a month left for Bihar Polls, and mination process beginning today, all eyes are set on seat-sharing deal in Bihar that has so far witnessed emergence of as many as 5 different alliances. 

"A lot of development work has happened in Bihar and NDA will fight polls on basis of this under leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. BJP, JD(U) and LJP will fight polls strongly along with Jitan Ram Manjhi, who has joined hands with JD(U), and will form government again with a three/fourth majority," he said. However, sources said that final seat-sharing arrangement is likely to be anunced soon and list of candidates for first phase of polls will be out by October 4 or 5.

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LJP wants more seats than 2015

However, hectic parleys are taking place in Bihar over seat-sharing deal as LJP chief Chirag Paswan has expressed desire to contest as many as 143 seats. In 2015 polls, LJP contested 42 seats but could man to win just 2 with 0.82 per cent votes. On Wednesday, Chirag Paswan addressed party workers in Delhi and said: "We always say nation comes first, n party and n oneself. So, one should think about oneself but of party," leader says. He adds, " party is a mor to us and we have to take it forward. If anyone thinks it can be shrunk or diminish, n it's t possible. Is everyone ready for any eventuality?" On this, LJP workers cheer 'Yes'.

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Bihar polls dates

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora anunced that Bihar Assembly election will be held in 3 phases — October 28, vember 3, and vember 7. 71, 94, and 78 Assembly constituencies will go to polls in first phase, second phase, and third phase respectively. counting of votes will take place on vember 10.

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