Bihar elections: BJP in dilemma over strained ties with LJP

Ahead of the Bihar elections, BJP seems to be in a big dilemma after LJP has decided to go solo but claiming that LJP and BJP will form the government after polls. BJP has also alleged LJP of creating confusion by bringing up his relationship with senior BJP leaders.

Patna: The poll matrix of Bihar has complicated after Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) has decided to go solo in the upcoming assembly elections, quitting NDA. But even after making its exit, LJP Chief Chirag Paswan has continued to heap praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that BJP and LJP will form the government in Bihar.

In its most recent statement, junior Paswan said, "I am Narendra Modi's 'Hanuman' and Prime minister lives in my heart."

"The prime minister lives in my heart...I am like his Hanuman. If they (his critics) want, they can pry open my heart and see that. I don't need to use the prime minister's photograph," Paswan said.

BJP has time and again endorsed Nitish Kumar as the Chief Minister of Bihar and even warned parties out of NDA to not use photographs of PM Modi during the election campaigns. The saffron party has asserted that Nitish Kumar will be the CM face if NDA comes to power.

JD(U) is an NDA ally only in Bihar, while LJP is part of the NDA only at the Centre. LJP and JD(U) have added a lot of confusion and complication to Bihar politics. It has put the BJP in a quandary.

Chirag Paswan has targeted Nitish Kumar over poor pandemic handling, flood situation, employment and deteriorating law and order in the state. The statements of LJP gives a hint that the party is of the view that its alliance with BJP is natural.

LJP has always talked about extending support to BJP on matters like CAA, NRC, Ayodhya Ram Mandir, the abolition of Triple Talaq and abrogation of article 370 in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Chirag's party believes that its alliance with the BJP is natural, while the JDU’s alliance is opportunistic.

LJP claims that their alliance with the BJP is quite old. The party’s stand on some issues is different and their alliance with the BJP is only a part of their arrangement in Bihar.

LJP spokesperson Sravan Kumar said, "Our party has a natural alliance with the BJP. We are also part of the NDA at the Centre and we supported the BJP on all controversial issues, but the JDU has opposed the BJP on many issues."

JD(U) leader Nihora Yadav said that we are part of the NDA in Bihar.

He added, "The ideology of our party is different. Our stand has been different from the BJP on many issues. So in the Parliament, whether it is a matter of the President’s Rule or voting on controversial issues, we took a different approach but in accordance with our party’s ideology.

READ: High alert in Bihar ahead of assembly polls

BJP national spokesperson Sanjay Mayukh has said that they have to carry forward the development works of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bihar. Nitish Kumar will be made the Chief Minister of Bihar again. That is our objective in the state. We have cleared our stand several times in this regard.

The demise of Union Minister and one of the tallest Dalit leaders Ram Vilas Paswan at a crucial time in the middle of the Bihar assembly elections has added a new twist. Political experts are of the view that the 'sympathy wave' will impact the polls.

The emotive issue arising out of the death of the prominent Dalit leader and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan can make or break many political equations in Bihar.

Chirag Paswan has severed his ties with NDA just before the Assembly polls in Bihar. At the same time, Chirag also made it clear that he would field candidates only against the nominees of the JDU. The demise of Paswan amid the electoral fight in the state can create a wave of sympathy among the people, which may upset political equations on many seats. It is being speculated that the JDU may suffer the most if it happens. Political experts have predicted that Chirag Paswan can consolidate Dalit and sympathy votes following his father's demise.

Elections in 243 Bihar Assembly constituencies in three phases will begin on October 28. Second and third phases will be held on November 3 and November 7 respectively. The counting of votes will take place on November 10.

READ: If needed, will include Chirag Paswan in our team: Tejashwi Yadav

With agency inputs