'Chirag Paswan instrumental in Tejashwi's victory from Raghopur': JD(U) fires fresh salvo

Stepping up its attack on Chirag Paswan on Saturday, JD(U) claimed that LJP national president was instrumental in victory of RJD's Tejashwi Yadav in Bihar Assembly polls. Mahagatbandhan's CM candidate had trounced BJP's Satish Kumar Yadav by more than 38,000 votes to comfortably win Raghopur seat. Speaking to media, JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar reiterated charge that Paswan had damd prospects of JD(U) in state Assembly election. He added that both people and political leaders are aware of what transpired in run-up to polls. 

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LJP's role in Bihar polls

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.

After deciding to go solo in polls, LJP chief Chirag Paswan had been at forefront of openly opposing Nitish Kumar while lauding PM Modi at same time. For instance, Paswan said that he was  PM's Hanuman and repeatedly asserted that LJP and BJP will form  next government in Bihar. 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.

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. 

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