Bihar elections: With 1 seat & 5.66% vote share, did LJP cause a 32-seat dent to JDU?

2020 Bihar Assembly election turned out to be a nail-biting contest with NDA emerging victorious in 125 seats as against that of 110 seats won by Mahagatbandhan. BJP, RJD, JD(U), Congress won 74, 75, 43 and 19 seats respectively. With 4 seats each, VIP and HAM (S) had a crucial role to play in ruling alliance breaching majority mark. Similarly, AIMIM made a huge mark in Bihar politics as 5 of its candidates were declared winners.

LJP national president Chirag Paswan had been at forefront of openly opposing Nitish Kumar while lauding PM Modi at same time. This set rumour mills abuzz about BJP's alleged tacit understanding with LJP to marginalise JD(U) within alliance. While LJP mand to bag just one seat with a vote share of 5.66%, a closer look at its performance suggests that it foiled JD(U)'s chances of emerging as single-largest party.

Read: Over 7 Lakh Bihar Voters Opted For TA Option

Analysis of LJP's role in hurting JD(U)'s performance: 

Source: EC Results website

As per EC data, LJP secured more votes than winning party's victory margin over JD(U) in aforesaid 32 constituencies. This essentially implies that JD(U)'s chances of potentially winning se seats would have increased manifold if LJP remained a part of NDA alliance in Bihar. It assumes significance as JD(U) longer has an upper hand in alliance at state level.

As per sources, old Mahagatbandhan could take shape in scenario of BJP trying to put pressure on JD(U) for CM's post. Moreover, sources added that RJD is waiting for unease to develop within NDA following which it can offer Nitish Kumar CM's post. However, Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi made it clear earlier in day that re was question of replacing Kumar as CM.

Read: Emboldened By Gains In Bihar Poll, Owaisi Says 'AIMIM Plans To Contest In UP, West Bengal'

LJP's conflicting stance in Bihar polls

An NDA ally since 2014, LJP decided to contest polls separately owing to ideological differences with JD(U). Affirming that joining Mahagatbandhan would have been an easier choice, Chirag Paswan said that LJP wanted to bring back Bihar's lost pride. Lamenting that Nitish Kumar hadn't lived up to his party's expectations, Paswan questioned  JD(U) president's idea of development.

Furrmore, he repeatedly asserted that LJP and BJP will form  next government in Bihar. Reiterating his affection for PM, LJP president said that he was  PM's Hanuman. ting that Nitish Kumar was continuously trying to wedge a divide between him and PM, Paswan appealed to latter to speak against him without any hesitation to follow NDA coalition dharma. On or hand, BJP slammed Paswan's attempt to misguide voters and affirmed faith in Nitish Kumar as Bihar CM face. 

Speaking exclusively with Republic TV on Paswan's attacks, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar remarked, "If anyone wants to say things, garner publicity through me, y have my blessings. So many things are spoken about me and JDU, this is one-sided publicity. We do t give any attention or importance to such comments."

Read: Bihar Election Results: After NDA Win, Min Naqvi Asks Oppn To Accept Verdict Respectfully