And the critical factor for JD (U) here would be to compete and win the maximum number of seats possible. Hence the reluctance to give space to the LJP.
The JD (U) wants the NDA’s seat allocation formula to be what it was in the 2010 Assembly elections: 141 seats for the JD (U) and 102 for the BJP. You would like your individual count to be as close to the middle of 122 as possible.
2. LJP’s response and a past precedent
In response to the JD (U), the LJP has threatened to present 143 candidates, basically wherever the JD (U) competes. This would make it a bit like 2005, in which the LJP had a tacit understanding with Congress but not with Congress’ ally, the RJD.
This is an arrangement that the LJP is considering: a tacit alliance with the BJP and weakening the JD (U).
Chirag Paswan has been attacking Nitish Kumar for some time, despite being an ally. Earlier this year, he criticized Bihar CM’s handling of the migration crisis. Last month, he said publicly that he had not spoken to Kumar in a year.
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