LJP `shocked` by seat sharing agreement, no rift with Manjhi: Chirag Paswan

New Delhi: Clearing the air on the reports of discontent brewing within the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) over allotment of 40 seats to it for the crucial Bihar Assembly Elections, Chirag Paswan on Tuesday said that his party was shocked not upset over the seat-sharing arrangement.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Paswan, the son of LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, asserted, "There was no anger but discontent as there was a difference between the seat sharing formula we were told about earlier and what was announced yesterday. So we were taken aback."

“LJP cadre was a bit dissatisfied with the seat sharing, but not upset,” Paswan said.

"We were not angry but definitely there were concerns in the party. We were shocked. There is no smoke without fire," the LJP Parliamentary Board chairman told the press conference.

The Jamui MP categorically stated that the seat-sharing issue will never be a contentious point between LJP and BJP.

Thanking Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah for giving a patient hearing to his party's concerns, the LJP chief's son said, “Amit Shah held serious consultations with me last night and assured to address all the concerns.”

“I thank Amit Shah ji for talking to me and listening to LJP's issues with seriousness,” Paswan said.

"We have apprised the BJP chief about about our concerns. We are happy that our concerns have been honoured and we are moving towards a solution," Chirag further said.

He also rejected the reports of his party having differences with Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM(S) and Upendra Kushwaha's RLSP.

Paswan said, “We are happy with the number of seats that Manjhi ji and Kushwaha ji have been given, they are like a family member.”

"There is no reason--number of seats or anything else-- due to which LJP would part ways with the BJP. There is no question of any dispute with Manjhi ji as his party cannot be given seats under any formula as he had neither contested Lok Sabha nor state Assemly polls in past."

"We are happy with whatever seats he has got. Our concern was that LJP should also have got seats on the basis of the formula under which RLSP got 23 seats," he said.

The fact is our prime motive is to strengthen NDA,” Paswan added.

While thanking Shah and BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan, the young LJP leader said, “We are moving ahead on the path of finding a solution. Both the senior leaders respected our sentiments and the issue of seat numbers isn't something that we will lead to split with BJP.”

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also called on the LJP chief in the morning after which he downplayed the reports of continued differences, saying NDA accords due respect to suggestions of Paswan.

Asked whether LJP was not informed beforehand about the apportionment of seats ahead of the announcement yesterday, he said,"No we were not informed. But we had not even asked for it."

While winding up the press conference, Paswan expressed confidence that NDA would win majority in the upcoming high decibel Bihar polls.

Following days of hard bargain, the BJP had on Monday sealed a seat-sharing pact for the Bihar Assembly polls with its allies under which it will contest 160 of the 243 seats, while sparing 20 for Manjhi's HAM(S), besides 40 for Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP.

Bihar

Union minister Upendra Kushwaha's RLSP got 23 seats to fight in the high-stakes elections starting October 12.