Lok Sabha polls: On seat-sharing and being linked with NDA, the RLJP chief Pashupati Paras said, “I appeal to the national president of BJP, JP Nadda, PM Narendra Modi, and home minister Amit Shah to consider our five MPs for the seat distribution. We had a meeting of our parliamentary board, and we have decided to wait until the BJP declares its complete list of candidates, only then can we make a decision. If we don’t get our dignity, we’re free to open our doors and go to anyone.”
Warning BJP?
The statement seems like a stern warning to the biggest party in India, out of anxiousness. Anxiousness? Of course, for there were reports stating that BJP has prioritised Chirag Paswan and has decided to gift him five seats in the alliance to contest from Bihar while no seat-sharing could have been carved out for RLJP.
The battle of Hajipur
Reports also suggest that Pashupati Paras might get a lollipop of the governor’s post. But today, after getting what can be said of a cold shoulder from the BJP, Paras has announced that he will contest from the citadel of the Paswan family, Hajipur.
#WATCH | Union Minister and Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party president Pashupati Kumar Paras says, “No, we have not spoken with anyone. But I will contest (Lok Sabha election) from Hajipur. All of our sitting MPs will contest from their respective constituencies. This is our party’s… pic.twitter.com/Qn2DsjIwU8
— ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2024
Hajipur is the hot seat from where Ram Vilas Paswan used to contest and win in the alliance of different parties. Hajipur is home to both Pashupati and Chirag but in NDA, both can’t be given the same seat, someone needs to settle for a little less. However, Pashupati Paras has declared that he’s definitely not the one who will think of a compromise. He will open the doors and step out.
How did the conflict begin?
A lot has changed in the politics of Bihar after the demise of Ram Vilas Paswan. His son was expected to be the contender to be the party’s chief but little did he know how fate would change the entire canvas for him. His own uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras went rebellious and overtook the party very democratically. Of course, he had the support of a major number of party leaders.
Chirag, who was truly devoted to Narendra Modi, looked forward to the BJP to get support in the assembly elections of Bihar in 2020. He staunchly supported the saffron brigade and asked voters to vote for them in all the regions where his party wasn’t contesting. As fate would have it, the BJP opted for Pashupati Paras when they had to pick one.
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Now, if reports are to be believed, Chirag Paswan has got warm hugs from the saffron party. But what about the uncle now? Sailing in the same boat seems more than difficult when both want the same piece of territory.
