Bihar Grand Alliance seat-sharing: The Grand Alliance of opposition parties led by Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD in Bihar has announced the seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. As per the agreement, the RJD will contest on 20 seats, Congress on 9, Upendra Kushwaha’s RLSP on 5, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM 3 and VIP 3. Former Janata Dal – United president will contest on RJD ticket. HAM president and former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi will contest from Gaya Lok Sabha seat.
The seat-sharing agreement was delayed due to Congress party’s demand of 12 seats. However, after several round of hectic parleys in the last few days, the parties agreed on a formula that was acceptable to all. The HAM of former Jitan Ram Manjhi, RLSP of former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha, NCP of Sharad Pawar, Left Parties, Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP) of Mukesh Sahni are the other constituents of the grand alliance.
The NDA has already declared its seat-sharing agreement for the 40 seats. The BJP and JD(U) are contesting 17 seats each while the LJP has been given remaining six seats.
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RJD, Congress, RLSP, HAM announce seat sharing for Bihar. RJD to contest on 20 seats, Congress 9, RLSP 5, HAM 3, VIP 3, Left 1.
Ahead of the seat sharing announcement in Bihar, the Congress has come out with allegations of corruption Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa. Randeep Surjewala claimed Yeddyurappa paid bribes of Rs 1800 crore to BJP's top brass.
The Congress party has responded to the BJP's tweet on delay of Rahul Gandhi's press conference. The response comes after BJP said that Rahul can't wake up in the morning.
The Bharatiya Janata Party took a dig at the Congress party after it deferred its president Rahul Gandhi's press conference twice. The BJP tweeted: 'It seems Rahul Gandhi can’t wake up in the morning. Anyway, it’s better not to spread lies in the morning.'
The Congress party has slammed the the 'Mai Bhi Chowkidar' campaign. In a twee posted on his official page, the party asked people to always run a background check on 'chowkidars' like PM Narenra Modi, Amit Shah and MJ Akbar.
According to media reports, BJP MP from Patna Sahib could contest the elections from Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat on Congress ticket. The BJP is unlikely to give him ticket again because of his rebellious attitude.
Newly inducted BJP leader Gautam Gambhir met party president Amit Shah. He joined the BJP earlier today in the presence of Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Union minister Arun Jaitley slammed Sam Pitroda for his remarks in IAF's air strike. Jaitley said, "He believes what we did was wrong. No country in the world said this, not even the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) said this, only Pakistan was of this view. Unfortunate such people are ideologues of a political party."
India's star cricketer Gautam Gambhir on Friday morning joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad. He is likely to contest the Lok Sabha elections from New Delhi Lok Sabha seat on BJP symbol.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed Pitroda's Pakistan remark to say it was start of Pakistan's National Day celebrations by Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi's close aide Sam Pitroda has questioned the claims of toll in the Balakot operation which was carried out by the Indian Air Force following Pulwama terror attack. Pitroda also said that it was wrong to blame every Pakistani citizen for terror attacks including the 26/11.
Cricketer Gautam Gambhir will join the Baratiya Janata Party (BJP) today evening. Gambhir is likely to contest from the New Delhi contituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may release the list of candidates from Bihar today. The BJP is contesting 17 seats in Bihar in an agreement with Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakri Party (LJP). On Thursday, the party released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Bihar has 40 parliamentary seats. During the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the RJD and Congress had contested together and won just 6 seats (RJD 4 and Congress 2). The BJP had won maximum number of seats with its ally LJP and RLSP. While the BJP bagged 22 seats, the LJP and RLSP had pocketed 6 and 4 seats, respectively.
According to television reports, the RJD is likely to contest from 10 seats. The Congres has been given nine seats. The remaining 12 seats will be distributed among the other partners - RLSP, NCP, Left, HAM and VIP.
Meanwhile, Congress president Rahul Gandhi is likely to address the media in Delhi at 10:30 am. He is likely to corner the Modi government over alleged corruption in Rafale deal.
The decision on seat-agreement was finalised after a series of meeting between the grand alliance leaders last week. The announcment was delayed due to Congress' adamant stand on its demand of 12 seats.