As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections draw near, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is preparing for a significant choice regarding seat distribution. The alliance aims to decide on its candidates by Thursday, laying the groundwork for the upcoming electoral contest. The BJP will reveal its candidates first, followed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) (JDU) later in the week, marking a crucial step in shaping the political landscape.
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Modi Bihar Visit Reveals NDA Contenders
During his visit to Bihar on March 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the list of 195 BJP candidates for the upcoming elections. There’s a buzz as PM Modi returns to Bihar, sparking speculation about a possible release of the BJP’s second candidate list. If this happens, the BJP could announce contenders for the remaining 17 seats in Bihar on Thursday.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar joined PM Modi on Wednesday and is expected to head to Delhi later in the day. There’s talk of a potential showdown between Nitish Kumar and his estranged ally, Chirag Paswan, at the NDA meeting on Thursday. Leaders from other alliance parties are also likely to attend, with hopes of finalizing the seat-sharing arrangement.
Nitish Kumar’s Foreign Visit and Seat Decision
During discussions about how to divide the seats, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is planning a trip abroad. He’s been pushing for a quick decision on how seats will be split among parties since June. It seemed like a resolution was close when Nitish Kumar rejoined the NDA on January 28. But his strained relationship with Chirag Paswan from the Lok Janshakti Party made things complicated.
This deadlock not only made it hard for the BJP to pick candidates for the legislative council but also stopped Bihar’s ministerial council from expanding. After holding a rally in Bettiah following PM Modi’s event, Nitish Kumar will go to Delhi and then travel to England and Scotland. Before he leaves the country, he wants to figure out the seat allocation in Delhi.
Confirming Seats and Potential Loss
During a meeting of the BJP’s core committee on Tuesday night, State President Sanjay Jaiswal made it clear that they are discussing the 17 seats they contested in the 2019 elections. In the last general elections, the BJP fielded candidates in all 17 constituencies and won each one. So, they’re confident about repeating this success.
In the previous election, the Janata Dal (United) contested 17 seats, while the Lok Janshakti Party fielded candidates in six. The LJP won all six seats, but the JD(U) lost one. This time, the LJP has split into two factions, with Chirag Paswan leading one and Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras leading the other. Their disagreement over the Hajipur seat adds another layer of complexity.
The BJP’s decision on seat allocation will also affect the National Lok Samata Party (Republic) and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular. Their alliance’s fate, whether they will support the JD(U) or seek other options, depends on factors like Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Samta Party’s stance on a united front or cooperation with Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular. Kushwaha, a former central minister, may prefer settling for one seat in the legislative assembly.
Conclusion
As the NDA meets to finalize its seat-sharing formula on Thursday, Bihar’s political scene is buzzing with activity. The decisions made will affect not just the parties involved but also the broader political landscape of the state. With Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit, attention is not only on election strategies but also on the relationships and dynamics within the alliance. As the puzzle of seat-sharing unfolds, Bihar’s political journey is poised for more surprises ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.