New Delhi: The National Democratic Alliance is struggling to retain its cohesiveness while carving up the seats in Bihar. The BJP wants to contest maximum number seats so it is assured of winning at least 122 - the halfway mark in the 243-member assembly - to reduce dependence on allies.
To that end, it wants to control 165 seats. The allies, who would be left with only 78, want more.
Late on Thursday evening, the leaders of the BJP and Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP met to finalise the numbers. Sources said LJP was offered 35-plus seats. But another round of meeting will be held, the sources said.
Mr Paswan had recently taken a dig at Mr Manjhi - a former chief minister of JD(U) who broke away and formed his own party -- by rejecting his claim for more seats. "Manjhi's party is on trial," he had said.
Given the public sniping, the BJP has a lot of convincing to do. To ensure that the differences between allies don't spill out, the BJP has made them take a public stand that they will accept the decision of its chief, Amit Shah.
Though Mr Kushwaha is a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, the BJP is wary of him.
To that end, it wants to control 165 seats. The allies, who would be left with only 78, want more.
Late on Thursday evening, the leaders of the BJP and Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP met to finalise the numbers. Sources said LJP was offered 35-plus seats. But another round of meeting will be held, the sources said.
Mr Paswan had recently taken a dig at Mr Manjhi - a former chief minister of JD(U) who broke away and formed his own party -- by rejecting his claim for more seats. "Manjhi's party is on trial," he had said.
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Given the public sniping, the BJP has a lot of convincing to do. To ensure that the differences between allies don't spill out, the BJP has made them take a public stand that they will accept the decision of its chief, Amit Shah.
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Though Mr Kushwaha is a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, the BJP is wary of him.
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