28.2.14

LJP back in the NDA


The BJP and LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan sealed a seat sharing pact in Bihar that will see Paswan’s group contesting seven Lok Sabha seats, a development that marks the much-travelled politician’s return to the NDA-fold.
Paswan surfaced on Wednesday after keeping the Congress, RJD and BJP on tenterhooks for the last few days and announced that his options are open. “Opinion in LJP is not against going with the BJP. In our party’s interests we need to take tough decisions,” he said.
The nitty-gritty of the pact saw Paswan agreeing to contest on seats that are not currently being held by the BJP. The decision is bound to cause heartburn among BJP hopefuls, but the party is pleased with the bargain.
Paswan is seen to command the loyalty of a dalit community that is assertive and can add 3-4 per cent votes to BJP’s base that includes upper castes and some middle castes as well.
Paswan prepared the ground for breaking with Congress and RJD by saying he was made a measly offer of a few seats. But his decision to make up with the BJP after having quit the NDA cabinet over the Gujarat 2002 riots seems driven by the assessment that saffron PM hopeful Narendra Modi is gaining traction in Bihar.
Paswan’s switch helps the BJP counter criticism that Modi’s projection as PM has isolated the party as sources point to Asom Gana Parishad leader Prafulla Mahanta’s statement on Wednesday that he does not rule in or rule out a tie-up with BJP.
Mahanta, along with BJD leader Naveen Patnaik stayed away from a third front inaugural on Tuesday and the Odisha CM’s posture is seen to reflect a convergence with the BJP on seeing the Congress as the common enemy.
“There is no seat sharing with the BJD, but we can work in our own ways to contain Congress,” said a BJP leader about the suituation in Odisha. The BJP leaders feel the party has a satisfactory understanding with Paswan, and talks have centred around the need to select “clean” candidates. Though the CBI is threatening to question Paswan in an appointments scam, the process will not be complete until the elections.
In Tamil Nadu, the BJP is striving to stitch up an alliance with smaller parties like the PMK and the DMDK besides MDMK leader Vaiko who is already part of the NDA. Paswan’s return is significant as he had quit the NDA over the Gujarat 2002 riots, although he was also unhappy over being removed from the telecom ministry when he was in the Vajpayee government.
A close aide of Paswan said, “We have reached an understanding but have had to cede the choice to BJP. It’s a last minute alliance and BJP has already finalised candidates for more seats. We did not have much room to negotiate on the choice of seats. But we are not disappointed, the allocation is respectable.”

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