03-11-2008, 02:30 AM
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--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> LJP to contest with JD(U) support
Navin Upadhyay | New Delhi
In a development that could cause a flutter in the UPA camp, the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) will be contesting the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls from Bihar with the support of the Janata Dal(U).
Sources said the LJP would rely on additional 21 votes that the JD(U) will transfer after ensuring the victories of three NDA candidates in the March 26 poll. Of the five full six-year-term seats for which polls will be held, the JD (U) will contest two and the BJP one.
The BJP has 55 MLAs and it will have 14 extra votes after electing its candidates with 41 votes. The BJP will transfer its extra votes to the JD (U), which in turn will pass on its surplus 21 votes to the LJP. This way there will not be any alliance between the BJP and the LJP.
The RJD with 54 MLAs will be able to send just one MP to the RS and there will be keen contest between Lalu Prasad's candidates and his one-time friend, philosopher and guide Ranjan Prasad Yadav, who will be the LJP's nominee.
The LJP has 10 MLAs and with the help of the JD(U) , independents, and smaller parties, it is confident of winning the fifth seat in a close contest.
Election will also be held for the vacancy caused by the death of RJD's Moiddur Rahman. The JD(U) is sure to bag the seat with a two-year tenure since Rahman had already served four years before his death.
Former bureaucrat NK Singh, JD(U) spokesman Shivanand Tiwari, and media personality MJ Akbar and eminent Muslim leader Syed Sahabuddin are some of the prominent names doing the rounds as prospective JD(U) candidates.
For the BJP nomination, it is toss up between former Union Minister CP Thakur and State unit chief Radhamohan Singh.
Sources said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and JD(U) national president Sharad Yadav have discussed the implications of extending support to the LJP and also conveyed their decision to LJP chief Ramvilas Paswan.
Sources said the bonhomie between Paswan and Nitish Kumar could be forerunner of new political equation in Bihar in the next general election. RJD's defeat in successive bypolls in Bihar during the last three years have shown that without the help of Paswan, Lalu Prasad could not put any effective challenge to the NDA. Paswan is also emboldened by the huge turnout at his rally in Patna in November last year and wanted to play a greater role in both State and national politics.
Sources said like BSP chief Mayawati, Paswan is also likely to shun the politics of untouchability and pursue the agenda of strengthening his party.
LJP leaders defend the decision to seek JD(U)'s helps for RS seat. What is the harm? The JD(U) will be transferring its surplus votes to us and not the BJP," a senior LJP leader said.
LJP sources said Paswan has made up his mind not to repeat the mistake of the past by having any electoral tie-up with Lalu Prasad. In 2004, Lalu had allotted eight seats to Paswan, who later accused the RJD chief of sabotaging the prospect of LJP candidates.
"We are ready to tie-up with anyone who is willing to recognise our strength and accordingly enter into seat adjustments with us," said a LJP leader. " But at no cost there will be any understanding with the RJD," he said.
Sources said Paswan will be aiming to ensure he has double digit numbers in the next Lok Sabha. For that he wants to contest at least one dozen winnable seats in Bihar. If the emerging equation for the RS polls are any indication, the UPA will be completely divided house in Bihar in the in the next Lok Sabha polls with Paswan doing everything to possible to cut down the RJD's numbers.
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> LJP to contest with JD(U) support Navin Upadhyay | New Delhi
In a development that could cause a flutter in the UPA camp, the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) will be contesting the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls from Bihar with the support of the Janata Dal(U).
Sources said the LJP would rely on additional 21 votes that the JD(U) will transfer after ensuring the victories of three NDA candidates in the March 26 poll. Of the five full six-year-term seats for which polls will be held, the JD (U) will contest two and the BJP one.
The BJP has 55 MLAs and it will have 14 extra votes after electing its candidates with 41 votes. The BJP will transfer its extra votes to the JD (U), which in turn will pass on its surplus 21 votes to the LJP. This way there will not be any alliance between the BJP and the LJP.
The RJD with 54 MLAs will be able to send just one MP to the RS and there will be keen contest between Lalu Prasad's candidates and his one-time friend, philosopher and guide Ranjan Prasad Yadav, who will be the LJP's nominee.
The LJP has 10 MLAs and with the help of the JD(U) , independents, and smaller parties, it is confident of winning the fifth seat in a close contest.
Election will also be held for the vacancy caused by the death of RJD's Moiddur Rahman. The JD(U) is sure to bag the seat with a two-year tenure since Rahman had already served four years before his death.
Former bureaucrat NK Singh, JD(U) spokesman Shivanand Tiwari, and media personality MJ Akbar and eminent Muslim leader Syed Sahabuddin are some of the prominent names doing the rounds as prospective JD(U) candidates.
For the BJP nomination, it is toss up between former Union Minister CP Thakur and State unit chief Radhamohan Singh.
Sources said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and JD(U) national president Sharad Yadav have discussed the implications of extending support to the LJP and also conveyed their decision to LJP chief Ramvilas Paswan.
Sources said the bonhomie between Paswan and Nitish Kumar could be forerunner of new political equation in Bihar in the next general election. RJD's defeat in successive bypolls in Bihar during the last three years have shown that without the help of Paswan, Lalu Prasad could not put any effective challenge to the NDA. Paswan is also emboldened by the huge turnout at his rally in Patna in November last year and wanted to play a greater role in both State and national politics.
Sources said like BSP chief Mayawati, Paswan is also likely to shun the politics of untouchability and pursue the agenda of strengthening his party.
LJP leaders defend the decision to seek JD(U)'s helps for RS seat. What is the harm? The JD(U) will be transferring its surplus votes to us and not the BJP," a senior LJP leader said.
LJP sources said Paswan has made up his mind not to repeat the mistake of the past by having any electoral tie-up with Lalu Prasad. In 2004, Lalu had allotted eight seats to Paswan, who later accused the RJD chief of sabotaging the prospect of LJP candidates.
"We are ready to tie-up with anyone who is willing to recognise our strength and accordingly enter into seat adjustments with us," said a LJP leader. " But at no cost there will be any understanding with the RJD," he said.
Sources said Paswan will be aiming to ensure he has double digit numbers in the next Lok Sabha. For that he wants to contest at least one dozen winnable seats in Bihar. If the emerging equation for the RS polls are any indication, the UPA will be completely divided house in Bihar in the in the next Lok Sabha polls with Paswan doing everything to possible to cut down the RJD's numbers.