Chirag Paswan Meets Amit Shah Over 5:1 Formula, Talks Last an Hour with Assurances Amid Resentment Discussions

Patna: The political landscape in Bihar witnessed a significant development as Chirag Paswan, the national president of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), convened with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Friday to discuss seat sharing ahead of the upcoming elections.

During the hour-long meeting, Chirag presented his party’s demands for seat allocation to Shah. Sources close to the discussions revealed that Chirag advocated for a distribution formula of 5:1, proposing five Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat for the LJP (R).

Acknowledging Chirag’s concerns, Home Minister Shah assured him of a favorable resolution, promising a suitable seat allocation in alignment with prevailing circumstances. Speculation had arisen regarding Chirag’s discontent within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), particularly amidst reports of his inability to secure a meeting with Shah and the absence of his presence during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visits to Bihar.

The focal point of contention appears to be the Hajipur seat, where both Chirag and his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras are vying for candidacy. The unresolved issue of seat distribution underscores the intricate negotiations within the alliance. However, there are indications that final decisions regarding seat allocations will be deferred until Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar returns from his overseas visit.

Nitish’s recent alignment with the NDA has significantly altered the dynamics, leading to a reevaluation of the bargaining power among alliance members. It is anticipated that remaining seats will be distributed among parties based on their respective capacities, as negotiations continue to navigate the complex political terrain in Bihar.