|
Amid reports of Bihar's NDA alliance facing internal tensions over seat-sharing, Union Minister and Hindustan Awam Morcha (Secular) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi on Tuesday justified the anger of JD(U), stating that the decision to field candidates from their quota lies with Nitish Kumar.
He also warned that his party will contest against Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in Bodh Gaya and Makhdumpur assembly constituencies. However, he also expressed confidence in the NDA's victory in the high-stakes Bihar elections. Jitan Ram Manjhi said, "Their anger is justified. I agree with their anger. When the decision has been made, why is someone else fielding their candidate in seats allocated to JD(U)? Agreeing with them, I too will field my candidates in Bodhgaya and Makhdumpur...Agreeing with the step taken by Nitish Kumar, I am fielding my candidates in two seats. List is ready...NDA will win with a majority." The move is seen as a challenge to Chirag Paswan's LJP, which has been allocated 29 seats in the Bihar assembly elections. Meanwhile, HAM has already announced its candidates for six seats, among whom four are sitting MLAs. According to the list announced, sitting MLA Deepa Kumari will contest the elections from the Imamganj seat, while sitting MLA Anil Kumar will contest from the Tikari seat. Sitting MLA Jyoti Devi will contest from Barachatti, and sitting MLA Prafull Kumar Manjhi will contest from the Sikandara seat. The HAM(S) has fielded Romit Kumar from Atri Assembly constituency, while Lalan Ram has been declared the party's candidate from Kutumba Assembly constituency. Currently, the Kutumba seat is being held by Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Ram. However, JDU working president Sanjay Kumar Jha said that Chief Minister Kumar is "absolutely happy" and will campaign for the party. He exhorted that the NDA parties are "united." Jha stated, "Nitish Kumar is absolutely happy. He will campaign for the NDA. He is talking to the senior leaders of the NDA. All five parties of the NDA are united, and by this evening, we will also announce the list of candidates and their constituencies. NDA is fighting the elections under the guidance of Nitish Kumar." The Bharatiya Janata Party also released its first list of 71 candidates for the Bihar assembly elections. Meanwhile, constituents of Mahagathbandhan continued their deliberations and consultations to resolve the stalemate over seat distribution. New entrant Jan Suraaj has already released two lists of its candidates. The last day of filing nominations for the first phase of assembly polls in Bihar is October 17. Bihar will go to the polls on November 6 and 11, and the results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
|
