Bihar elections 2020: LJD chief Sharad Yadav's daughter & LJP gen secy join Congress

In a jolt to Lok Janshakti Dal (LJD) ahe of Bihar polls, LJD chief Shar Yav's daughter - Subhashini Rao on Wednesday, joined Congress party in presence of senior leers like Pawan Khera, Ahmed Patel etc in Delhi. Sources said that she may be given ticket from Bihariganj constituency in Mhepura district. Her far h anunced that he will be contesting 51 out of total 243 assembly seats in Bihar on its own, after being igred by both Congress and RJD.

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LJD chief Shar Yav's daughter joins Congress

Welcoming Rao, Khera said, "Subhashini Yav Ji's far Shar Yav Ji got best parliamentarian award in 2010. Shar Yav has been elected to Lok Sabha seven times and was minated to Rajya sabha for four years. Subhashini Ji saw politics from her childhood and would like to welcome her which will strengn our coalition."

dressing media, Rao said, "I would like to thank Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Man Mohan Jha, and all ors. My far is t well and that is why today he is t here. I would like to take his legacy forward that he established in Bihar. People have shown ir faith in Mahagathbandhan."

Bihar Elections: Shar Yav's daughter Subhashini Raj Rao to join Congress, get ticket

Apart from LJD, Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) too faced a blowback as its general secretary Kali Pras Pandey joined Congress. Pandey has alrey filed mination as a Congress candidate from Kuchaikote constituency in Bihar. Welcoming him, Khera said, " Ar personality among us is Kali Pandey Ji. y both will give strength to Congress. It will also strengn Bihar politics."

Bihar polls: Shar Yav ends rumours on 'wapsi', LJD says 'will work with Opposition'

LJD to work with Opposition

Earlier, ending speculation over rejoining hands with CM Nitish Kumar, Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) h clarified that its patron Shar Yav will work to bring opposition alliance to power in Bihar. In a statement, LJD vowed to strive hard to bring "more cohesion among secular forces" in upcoming assembly elections in Bihar. But, LJD's offer was igred by Mahagathbandhan which comprises of RJD, Congress and Left parties.

Shar Yav, who was one of trusted lieutenants of Nitish Kumar, was removed from leer of Rajya Sabha in 2017 after he publically condemned Nitish for quitting grand alliance. Yav n challenged disqualification in Delhi High Court and case is still pending. Though Shar Yav in May 2018 formed his own party - Loktantrik Janata Dal - he unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha elections from Mhepura on RJD ticket and lost.

Shar Yav's LJD to contest 51 seats in Bihar polls alone

Bihar polls

NDA- led by BJP poll-in-charge Devendra Fnavis will contest on a 121-122 seat share with JDU, while LJP has decided to contest separately, but is open to a post-poll alliance. Similarly, Mahagathbandhan which saw initial revolt from Congress finally agreed to a 144-70 seat-share formula with Congress,  and three or Communist parties contesting on 29 seats.   NDA and Mahagathbandhan face three coalitions -  'Progressive Democratic Alliance' (PDA) - comprising of JAP, AJP, SDP, BMP, and Grand Democratic Secular Front - comprising of AIMIM, RLSP, BSP, SJDD and SBSP. Bihar will vote in 3 phases - October 28, vember 3, and vember 7, with results being declared on vember 10.