Chirag 'upset' with Manjhi's inclusion in NDA

Chirag Paswan, the son and political successor of veteran Dalit leader Ram Vilas Paswan, is reportedly angry with the ruling Janata Dal United (JDU) for giving space to the HAM in the alliance.

Manjhi is also a prominant Dalit leader and his inclusion in the NDA may affect seat-sharing and the backward vote in Bihar. Such a situation is of concern to the LJP.

The LJP has now given a slogan emphasising Bihari pride. The slogan reads: "Woh lad rahen hain raj karne ke liye, LJP lad rahi hai Bihar par naz karne ke liye" (They are contesting elections to rule the state and the LJP is contesting elections for the pride of Bihar).

Paswan has also been critical of CM Nitish Kumar for his policies on the return of migrant labourers from other states, inadequate flood relief measures and failing to control the spread of Covid-19 in the state.

However, LJP spokesperson Asraf Ansari said that the slogan is meant to target opposition parties such as the RJD, Congress and others. But political observers in the state say the slogan is targeted at Manjhi for joining the NDA just before the polls.

Prem Kumar, a prominent BJP leader and the agriculture minister of Bihar, said: "There is no such conflict among the LJP and the HAM. Now, four parties will fight together under the common NDA umbrella led by CM Nitish Kumar. The inclusion of Manjhi in the NDA will help us rather than cause division of votes in the Dalit community."

Danish Rizwan, the official spokesperson of HAM, said: "Chirag Paswan taking a tough stand is his personal matter and the HAM has nothing to do with it. He has given some unwanted statements against CM Nitish Kumar, who  has changed the the impression of Bihar over the last 15 years. Now, people talk about Bihari pride and people in other states give respect to Biharis. Chirag's statement of 'Bihar first, Bihari first', has come only in these elections."

"If Chirag will continue with the stand, his party and he will face consequences in this election," Rizwan added.

"The statements of any individual leader are not important for the JD(U). We are contesting under one umbrella of the NDA and guidance from Amit Shah are important to us. We are also following the directions of the Election Commission," Said Neeraj Kumar, a senior JDU legislator and Bihar's information and public relations minister.