Top sources in the Grand Alliance said they have already held multiple rounds of detailed discussions on the seat-sharing formula for Bihar.
NEW DELHI: Even as the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) holds talks to finalise seat sharing, with all parties trying to secure maximum seats, sources revealed that the seat-sharing formula will be finalised by the first week of August, days before the poll panel announces the election schedule for the 243-member Bihar Assembly.
Top sources in the Grand Alliance said they have already held multiple rounds of detailed discussions on the seat-sharing formula for Bihar.
“In the coming days, or by the first week of August, our seat-sharing deal will be finalised,” the source claimed.
When asked about Congress appointing 58 observers in the state, fuelling speculation that it might contest on 58 seats compared to 70 seats in the last Assembly polls, the source clarified that earlier, the grand old party had appointed almost 15 observers in Bihar.
“Thus, 58 observers were added to strengthen the organisation in the state, where it felt more work was needed,” he said.
Regarding AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi writing to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav to join the Mahagatbandhan in Bihar, the source said Owaisi tried to signal to his voters that he wanted to be part of the Grand Alliance despite knowing that he would not be accommodated in it.
He also pointed out that Mahagatbandhan leaders are preparing to launch an aggressive campaign in Bihar on multiple issues.
He said that the I.N.D.I.A bloc partners in Bihar will carry out a massive protest in the form of a ‘chakka jam’ (roadblock) on July 9.
The source further said the July 9 protest is planned over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in Bihar, and that more such protests will be held across the state.
He highlighted several issues including the Waqf Amendment Act, unemployment, education, health, and the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
He also mentioned that they are looking forward to Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s programme to kick off the Congress campaign from Western Bihar’s Sasaram region.
The source revealed that Congress is also conducting a survey of the party’s MLAs in the state, with indications that some sitting MLAs might be dropped.
The Congress source said the party leadership is unhappy with the way Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s programme failed to attract a crowd in Buxar district.
He claimed that Gandhi is highly displeased at the poor turnout at Kharge’s programme in Buxar.
The source further revealed that the issue of caste census will also play an important role in the Bihar Assembly polls, along with the Commission’s decision to carry out the SIR of voter rolls in the state. The election for the 243-member Bihar Assembly is scheduled to take place later this year. The RJD, Congress, and Left Parties’ Mahagatbandhan are looking to wrest power from the NDA, comprising Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal United, the BJP, LJP Ram Vilas, and the Jitan Ram Manjhi-led HAM-S.
