Bihar polls: RLSP quits Mahagatbandhan; Upendra Kushwaha is CM face of tie-up with BSP

Ahead of Bihar polls, Mahagatbandhan received a setback with former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha-led Rashtriya Lok Samta Party's exit from alliance. Addressing media on Tuesday, Kushwaha anunced that his party will fight Bihar polls in alliance with BSP and Janwadi Party Socialist. This comes amid RLSP's increasing dissatisfaction with RJD leadership.

Confirming this development, BSP supremo Mayawati declared Kushwaha as Chief Ministerial candidate for Bihar Assembly election. She opined that state was in dire need of a "historic change". She added that main aim of this alliance was to bring prosperity and resolve issues such as poverty and unemployment. 

BSP president Mayawati remarked, "We have decided to fight this election as a part of an alliance. re is a dire need in Bihar for historic change. Keeping in mind our party's ideology and principles, BSP has allied with former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samta Party and ors to contest Bihar polls. Upendra Kushwaha also made this anuncement earlier in day. If this alliance receives blessings of people of Bihar, n Upendra Kushwaha will become Chief Minister. main aim of this alliance is to bring prosperity to Bihar and eliminate problems such as poverty, unemployment, and floods."

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Bihar Assembly election

Bihar Assembly has a strength of 243 members out of which 38 seats are reserved for SC and two for ST. In 2015 state polls, Mahagatbandhan comprising RJD, JD(U) and Congress won a whopping majority with 178 seats under leadership of Nitish Kumar. On or hand,  BJP-led alliance won from only 58 constituencies. 

On July 26, 2017, Nitish Kumar stepped down as CM citing irreconcilable differences with RJD over corruption allegations against Tejashwi Yadav and joined hands with its former ally BJP. upcoming Assembly election will be held in 3 phases- October 28, vember 3 and vember 7.  To decongest polling stations, voting time has been increased by one hour. Thus, people will be able to cast ir votes from 7 am to 6 pm barring for areas affected by Left-wing extremism.  counting of votes will take place on vember 10.

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