2019 polls: BJP, JD(U) will fight equal number of seats in Bihar

BJP CHIEF AMIT SHAH’S ANNOUNCEMENT ON FRIDAY PUT TO REST SPECULATIONS OVER DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES

PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and the BJP will contest equal number of seats in the state in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP chief Amit Shah said on Friday, putting to rest speculations over differences between the two parties, but triggering concerns of a possible revolt by other partners of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar.

At a press conference, Shah said an announcement on the exact number of seats would be made in a day or two.

The decision, which came after a meeting between Shah and Kumar in New Delhi, means the BJP will have to let go of some of the seats it contested five years ago.

Bihar sends 40 representatives to the Lok Sabha.

In the 2014 elections, the BJP contested 30 seats (won 22), while its partners the Lok Janshakti Party and the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party contested seven (won six) and three (won three), respectivley.

The JD(U) was not part of the NDA then. KC Tyagi, the JD(U)’S principal general secretary, said, “Rank-and-file members are happy that their sentiments have been taken care of.”

Hindustan Times reported on July 11, ahead of a key meeting between Kumar and Shah, that the two parties had indicated their commitment to the alliance.

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