Bihar polls: BJP all set to hard bargain with ally JDU, sets eyes on 120 winnable seats

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 2

Amid the tussle for a better share among the NDA allies, the BJP is believed to be “preparing” a list of 120 seats to contest in the upcoming elections to the 243-member Bihar Assembly.

The party, which is fighting the elections with allies JDU and LJP under the leadership of incumbent Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, wants to shortlist at least 120 constituencies which it believes it can win and then approach the negotiating table with this list, said sources.

Moreover, Jitan Ram Manjhi-led HAM is also joining the NDA and will have to be adjusted.

Former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi-led HAM (S) has formed an alliance with Nitish Kumar's JD(U).

"We have forged an alliance with JD(U) and have become a part of the NDA. There has been no discussion about seat-sharing in the next Bihar Assembly elections," Manjhi was quoted as saying.

Manjhi is believed to be seeking 10 seats. However, it remains to be seen how he is accommodated in the seat sharing formula between the NDA existing allies.

“The core committee of the state is working on the list. The BJP is keeping a watch on all the 243 seats, examining its own possibilities and also assessing the ground strength of allies as chief JP Nadda wants state leaders and MPs to work not only for ensuring victory of their party candidates but also the nominees of the NDA allies and project a perfect picture of unity in the elections,” revealed the sources.

At the same time, though, the party leaders admit that there will be a tussle over seats, which is “natural”. Eventually the JDU may end up with 115-120 seats, the LJP 25-30 and the BJP 95-105 seats.

The BJP is leaving no stone unturned to retain Bihar with Nadda himself leading brainstorming sessions and strategy meetings.

At a recent meeting of the Bihar core group, Nadda handed over tasks to state leaders, asking them to concentrate on booth management (which is the forte of the saffron party) and build on social-caste equations, especially in rural areas, said the sources.

In another meeting with party MPs, including Central ministers, Nadda asked them to take the onus of ensuring the victory of all the NDA candidates in the elections expected in October-November and pay attention to the rural parts, they said.

The MPs were asked to camp in at least two panchayats every day so that they can individually cover around 60 panchayat segments in September, they added.  

The MPs will also celebrate the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17 as Sewa Diwas (service day) by camping in their respective constituencies and ensure that relief works reach the people affected by the Covid-19 and floods.

Nadda is likely to start campaigning after restrictions are eased by the state administration.