While the disintegration of the INDIA bloc in Bengal has enthused the rightist forces, the delay in announcing the final silhouette of seat-sharing in Bihar has disheartened the centrist and secular forces. It is the unpleasant development in Bengal that has turned them sceptical.
However, the seat sharing exercise is complete in Bihar and the leaders of the constituents are just waiting for the right time to make it public. The delay owes primarily to the spectre of division in the JD(U). The JD(U) supremo has already gone to Britain for his medical treatment. Before leaving for Britain, he had told Narendra Modi in no uncertain words that his party would contest not less than 12 seats. Of course, he had claimed 16 seats in which his colleagues had won in 2019.
In any other situation, the BJP would have conceded to his demand. But the party is facing the most tenacious challenge from Chirag Paswan, son of Ram Vilas Paswan. Chirag is virtually dictating terms to Modi. Gate of INDIA bloc is open for him. Though Chirag cannot claim to carry the legacy of his father, he still is the only visible Dalit leader in the state and has six MPs.
The EBC and Mahadalit sections still continue to repose their trust in Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) of Ram Vilas. The situation has been further complicated by the younger brother of Ram Vilas, Pashupati Paras. He is a union minister and by virtue of being in power, he commands considerable following amongst the Dalits. He has already cautioned Modi that in case they give too much of credence to Chirag, he would leave the NDA and join INDIA bloc.
At a time when the BJP is mainly focussing on the Dalits and OBCs, it cannot dare to alienate the Dalit political groupings. Besides the two warring Lok Janshakti Party factions (one headed by Chirag and another by Paras),Modi had to meet the demands of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) of former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha which are also part of the NDA in Bihar. Then there is Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insaan Party.
The leaders of INDIA bloc in principle are agreeable to allot some seats to the leaders switching their loyalties. This will depend on the stature of the leader coming over to the INDIA bloc. Ironically, this is a major contentious problem. Chirag has demanded six seats for his followers from BJP.
Two days back, the BJP’s state election panel had discussed the probable candidates but a final decision awaits the nod of Modi and Amit Shah. Meanwhile, sources maintain that Modi and Shah are not averse to accommodating the wishes of the smaller groups, and in that backdrop the party may prefer to cut the number of seats meant for JD(U).
The BJP may change some of its candidates for accommodating the LJP sections and HAM. However, it has decided to put a condition that the groups must nominate candidates who can win. With 40 Lok Sabha seats, Bihar will play significant role and position in formation of the next government.
While Rahul Gandhi has been striving to present an alternate narrative before the people of the country and pledging to fight for Dalits, EBC and proletariat, the worst neglected section of the society in his words, his partymen in Bengal have been busy in the game of one-upmanship. Their approach is certainly not objective and pragmatic.
It would not be exaggeration to say that they are wasting the gains made by Rahul through his Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. And this is being done at a time when Narendra Modi has virtually used all the weapons in his armoury. The latest being the CAA notification.
The clarity in the political moves of the CPI(ML) in Bihar is clearly visible in its constant focus on defeating the NDA. The CPI(ML)-L has many grievances against both the Congress and RJD but they are not raising those much, the entire emphasis is to ensure the defeat of the BJP in Lok Sabha elections. The Left parties are hoping that INDIA bloc will come out with its list of winnable candidates by next week. (IPA Service)
