22 leaders from Chirag Paswan's party - LJP - resigned on Wednesday. This comes hours ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Jamui rally.

India Elections: 22 leaders quit Chirag Paswan-led BJP after tickets denied for Lok Sabha polls

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday clarified that it is not forming any back door alliance with Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) for Assembly election in the eastern Indian state of Bihar.&nbsp;

BJP's Bihar unit said it was fighting the upcoming state election under the leadership of Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United (JD-U) chief Nitish Kumar and described him as the "undisputed leader of the National Democratic Alliance".&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/47-open-grounds-19-halls-to-be-used-for-public-rallies-during-bihar-polls-only-100-people-to-be-allowed-332385">47 open grounds, 19 halls to be used for public rallies during Bihar polls; only 100 people to be allowed</a>

"Our party is contesting the elections under Nitish`s leadership. Whosoever goes against him or challenges him will not be a part of the NDA," said Sanjay Jaiswal, BJP Bihar's chief, as quoted by news agency IANS.&nbsp;

On October 4, LJP leader Chirag Paswan announced LJP's exit from BJP-JDU alliance in Bihar over differences with Kumar but said it would continue to be a part of BJP-led NDA at the Centre.

Paswan also said that the move would not hamper its relations with BJP, hinting of a possible post-poll alliance in Bihar with BJP&nbsp;if BJP and JDU were unable to notch the required number of seats.&nbsp;

The assembly election in the state will be held in three phases starting from October 28 and the results would be declared on November 10.&nbsp;

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday clarified that it is not forming any back door alliance with Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) for Assembly election in the eastern Indian state of Bihar.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday clarified that it is not forming any back door alliance with Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) for Assembly election in the eastern Indian state of Bihar. BJP's Bihar unit said it was fighting the upcoming state election under the leadership of Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United (JD-U) chief Nitish Kumar and described him as the "undisputed leader of the National Democratic Alliance". Also read | 47 open grounds, 19 halls to be used for public rallies during Bihar polls; only 100 people to be allowed "Our party is contesting the elections under Nitish`s leadership. Whosoever goes against him or challenges him will not be a part of the NDA," said Sanjay Jaiswal, BJP Bihar's chief, as quoted by news agency IANS. On October 4, LJP leader Chirag Paswan announced LJP's exit from BJP-JDU alliance in Bihar over differences with Kumar but said it would continue to be a part of BJP-led NDA at the Centre. Paswan also said that the move would not hamper its relations with BJP, hinting of a possible post-poll alliance in Bihar with BJP if BJP and JDU were unable to notch the required number of seats. The assembly election in the state will be held in three phases starting from October 28 and the results would be declared on November 10.

No back door alliance with LJP, Nitish Kumar our 'undisputed leader': BJP

Ahead of Jharkhand Assembly polls, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), on Tuesday announced that it will be contesting the upcoming elections on its own.

The newly-appointed president of the party, Chirag Paswan took to twitter to announce the decision and said that Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) will contest elections alone on 50 seats while outlining that the party`s first list of candidates will be out by today evening.

"The last decision to contest elections in Jharkhand was to be taken by the state unit. The Lok Janshakti Party Jharkhand state unit has decided that the party will contest 50 seats alone. The first list of party candidates will be announced by this evening," he said on Twitter.

Not only LJP, but even Hindustani Awam Morcha led by former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi will also go solo in the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

The 81-member Jharkhand assembly will go to polls in five phases between November 30 and December 20 and the votes will be counted on December 23.

Ahead of Jharkhand Assembly polls, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), on Tuesday announced that it will be contesting the upcoming elections on its own. The newly-appointed president of the party, Chirag Paswan took to twitter to announce the decision and said that Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) will contest elections alone on 50 seats while outlining that the party`s first list of candidates will be out by today evening.

Ahead of Jharkhand Assembly polls, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), on Tuesday announced that it will be contesting the upcoming elections on its own. The newly-appointed president of the party, Chirag Paswan took to twitter to announce the decision and said that Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) will contest elections alone on 50 seats while outlining that the party`s first list of candidates will be out by today evening. "The last decision to contest elections in Jharkhand was to be taken by the state unit. The Lok Janshakti Party Jharkhand state unit has decided that the party will contest 50 seats alone. The first list of party candidates will be announced by this evening," he said on Twitter. Not only LJP, but even Hindustani Awam Morcha led by former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi will also go solo in the upcoming assembly elections in the state. The 81-member Jharkhand assembly will go to polls in five phases between November 30 and December 20 and the votes will be counted on December 23.

Jharkhand assembly polls: LJP announces to contest on 50 seats

Chirag Paswan was appointed as the Chief of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) during the party`s national executive meeting on Tuesday. With this development, Chirag has replaced his father and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan as LJP president.

The decision comes ahead of the next Assembly elections in the state, the sources said.

Ram Vilas Paswan, the sources said, will be the party`s patron now. LJP, which mainly draws support from a section of the Dalit community is set to begin its membership campaign on its foundation day on November 28.

Chirag Paswan is a Member of Parliament from Jamui, Bihar.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Chirag Paswan was appointed as the Chief of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) during the party`s national executive meeting on Tuesday. With this development, Chirag has replaced his father and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan as LJP president.

Chirag Paswan was appointed as the Chief of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) during the party`s national executive meeting on Tuesday. With this development, Chirag has replaced his father and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan as LJP president. The decision comes ahead of the next Assembly elections in the state, the sources said. Ram Vilas Paswan, the sources said, will be the party`s patron now. LJP, which mainly draws support from a section of the Dalit community is set to begin its membership campaign on its foundation day on November 28. Chirag Paswan is a Member of Parliament from Jamui, Bihar.

Chirag Paswan appointed chief of LJP

BJP, JD (U) and LJP announce list of constituencies in Bihar for 2019 Lok Sabha polls

Hindustani Awam Morcha president Jitan Ram Manjhi on Saturday said he would go to Ranchi next week to meet<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/irctc-scam-delhi-court-grants-interim-bail-to-rjd-chief-lalu-prasad-185433"> RJD national president Lalu Prasad</a> for discussing seat-sharing in Bihar ahead of Lok Sabha polls in 2019.

He sought to distance himself from the aggressive stance of HAM state president Vrishan Patel, who had earlier this week said the party would boycott the general elections if it was not given a "sizeable" number of seats to contest.

HAM is part of the opposition alliance in Bihar along with RJD, Congress, RLSP, VIP and LJD.

Prasad is in jail in Ranchi, after his conviction in three fodder scam cases. He is lodged at the Rajendra Instute of Medical Sciences on health grounds.

Manjhi said only three people are allowed to meet the RJD supremo on Saturdays. "Today, his younger son Tejashwi Yadav and our alliance partners Upendra Kushwaha of RLSP and Mukesh Sahni of Vikasshil Insan Party (VIP) met him. Next week it is going to be me", he said.

Responding to queries on Patel's seat-sharing stance, Manjhi said, "He may have vented his anxieties resulting from unsubstantiated media reports. We enjoy the support of 90 per cent of Dalits in the state. This is a fact which the RJD leadership is aware of."

It was due to HAM's support that the RJD won the Jehanabad assembly by-poll and the Araria Lok Sahba seat in March by a good margin, even though a sizeable number of Yadavs, its traditional supporters, had gravitated to the BJP, Manjhi, a former chief minister, claimed.

The opposition alliance is now reportedly exploring the possibility of an electoral understanding with the Left parties in order to take on the NDA which has been bolstered by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-lok-sabha-polls-nitish-holds-jdu-meeting-in-patna-187291">Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's</a> return to the grouping last year.

Kumar heads the JD(U).

Seat sharing among the opposition parties in Bihar is likely to be a thorny issue.

Tejashwi Yadav, who is seen as Prasad's political successor, had sought to downplay the difficulties being faced by the Mahagathbandhan.

He had told reporters in Ranchi, "Our (Mahagathbandhan's) priority is to defeat the NDA. Whoever seems to be in the best position to defeat the BJP-led coalition in a given seat will be fielded as the joint candidate of the Mahagathbandhan".&nbsp;

Hindustani Awam Morcha president Jitan Ram Manjhi on Saturday said he would go to Ranchi next week to meet RJD national president Lalu Prasad for discussing seat-sharing in Bihar ahead of Lok Sabha polls in 2019.

Hindustani Awam Morcha president Jitan Ram Manjhi on Saturday said he would go to Ranchi next week to meet RJD national president Lalu Prasad for discussing seat-sharing in Bihar ahead of Lok Sabha polls in 2019. He sought to distance himself from the aggressive stance of HAM state president Vrishan Patel, who had earlier this week said the party would boycott the general elections if it was not given a "sizeable" number of seats to contest. HAM is part of the opposition alliance in Bihar along with RJD, Congress, RLSP, VIP and LJD. Prasad is in jail in Ranchi, after his conviction in three fodder scam cases. He is lodged at the Rajendra Instute of Medical Sciences on health grounds. Manjhi said only three people are allowed to meet the RJD supremo on Saturdays. "Today, his younger son Tejashwi Yadav and our alliance partners Upendra Kushwaha of RLSP and Mukesh Sahni of Vikasshil Insan Party (VIP) met him. Next week it is going to be me", he said. Responding to queries on Patel's seat-sharing stance, Manjhi said, "He may have vented his anxieties resulting from unsubstantiated media reports. We enjoy the support of 90 per cent of Dalits in the state. This is a fact which the RJD leadership is aware of." It was due to HAM's support that the RJD won the Jehanabad assembly by-poll and the Araria Lok Sahba seat in March by a good margin, even though a sizeable number of Yadavs, its traditional supporters, had gravitated to the BJP, Manjhi, a former chief minister, claimed. The opposition alliance is now reportedly exploring the possibility of an electoral understanding with the Left parties in order to take on the NDA which has been bolstered by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's return to the grouping last year. Kumar heads the JD(U). Seat sharing among the opposition parties in Bihar is likely to be a thorny issue. Tejashwi Yadav, who is seen as Prasad's political successor, had sought to downplay the difficulties being faced by the Mahagathbandhan. He had told reporters in Ranchi, "Our (Mahagathbandhan's) priority is to defeat the NDA. Whoever seems to be in the best position to defeat the BJP-led coalition in a given seat will be fielded as the joint candidate of the Mahagathbandhan".

Jitan Ram Manjhi to meet Lalu Yadav for seat-sharing talks next week

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nobody-has-power-to-abolish-reservation-nitish-kumar-174763">Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar </a>attended a meeting of his JD(U) here on Saturday, in which the top leaders of the party discussed the ways and means to improve its prospects in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/shivpal-yadav-willing-to-join-hands-with-congress-to-defeat-bjp-in-lok-sabha-polls-186646">2019 Lok Sabha polls.</a>

The meeting was held at the residence of Janata Dal (United) state president and Rajya Sabha member Vashishtha Narayan Singh. A host of senior leaders, including the party's national general secretary Ram Chandra Prasad Singh, spokesperson Sanjay Singh, minister Jai Kumar Singh and MLA Lesi Singh, were among those present.

JD(U) sources said the meeting that lasted for nearly three hours focussed on making the party more popular among the upper castes, who have traditionally supported the BJP or, earlier, the Congress.

The JD(U) enjoys tremendous popularity among the Extremely Backward Classes and the Mahadalits — numerically large but politically submissive social groups — thanks to the schemes of Kumar's government that have aimed at the betterment of these segments.

The support base of the JD(U) remained intact in the worst of times, but the votes failed to translate into seats whenever the party decided to go it alone like the 2014 Lok Sabha polls when it managed to win only two of the 40 seats in<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-government-collected-38-more-tax-than-last-year-sushil-modi-187104"> Bihar.</a>

The JD(U) is looking forward to putting up a sterling performance in next year's general election, which it will be contesting in an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).

Last week, BJP president Amit Shah had announced the seat-sharing formula of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, wherein his party and the JD(U) will contest 17 seats each while the LJP will fight the remaining six.

Kumar had said at Shah's press conference that in 2019, the NDA would better its previous record of 32 seats in Bihar, which was achieved in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls.

Being at the helm of affairs in Bihar for long, Kumar has the responsibility to ensure that the NDA romps home successfully in the 2019 polls.

However, opposition parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) have mocked the claim, saying Paswan's decision not to contest the Lok Sabha polls but enter Parliament through the Rajya Sabha was "out of fear that the NDA may not be able to open its account in Bihar".

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attended a meeting of his JD(U) here on Saturday, in which the top leaders of the party discussed the ways and means to improve its prospects in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attended a meeting of his JD(U) here on Saturday, in which the top leaders of the party discussed the ways and means to improve its prospects in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting was held at the residence of Janata Dal (United) state president and Rajya Sabha member Vashishtha Narayan Singh. A host of senior leaders, including the party's national general secretary Ram Chandra Prasad Singh, spokesperson Sanjay Singh, minister Jai Kumar Singh and MLA Lesi Singh, were among those present. JD(U) sources said the meeting that lasted for nearly three hours focussed on making the party more popular among the upper castes, who have traditionally supported the BJP or, earlier, the Congress. The JD(U) enjoys tremendous popularity among the Extremely Backward Classes and the Mahadalits — numerically large but politically submissive social groups — thanks to the schemes of Kumar's government that have aimed at the betterment of these segments. The support base of the JD(U) remained intact in the worst of times, but the votes failed to translate into seats whenever the party decided to go it alone like the 2014 Lok Sabha polls when it managed to win only two of the 40 seats in Bihar. The JD(U) is looking forward to putting up a sterling performance in next year's general election, which it will be contesting in an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). Last week, BJP president Amit Shah had announced the seat-sharing formula of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, wherein his party and the JD(U) will contest 17 seats each while the LJP will fight the remaining six. Kumar had said at Shah's press conference that in 2019, the NDA would better its previous record of 32 seats in Bihar, which was achieved in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. Being at the helm of affairs in Bihar for long, Kumar has the responsibility to ensure that the NDA romps home successfully in the 2019 polls. However, opposition parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) have mocked the claim, saying Paswan's decision not to contest the Lok Sabha polls but enter Parliament through the Rajya Sabha was "out of fear that the NDA may not be able to open its account in Bihar".

Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Nitish holds JD(U) meeting in Patna

BJP president <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-how-ruthless-pm-modi-amit-shah-lost-the-numbers-game-in-karnataka-137369">Amit Shah</a> announced on Sunday that his party would contest 17 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, while the Janata Dal (United) would fight from an equal number of seats.&nbsp;

The Lok Jantantrik Party (LJP), led by union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, meanwhile will fight from six seats.

Talking to media persons, Shah said that the alliance would contest the coming Lok Sabha polls under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also said that there was no difference of any kind within the NDA in Bihar.

The BJP president further said seat allocation would be decided in the coming days.

Growing discontentment among the NDA allies in Bihar came out in the open when LJP’s Chirag Paswan told the media that the BJP had digressed to ‘non-issues’ like the Ram temple and had demanded urgent steps to return to the ‘real issue’ of development.

Chirag had also expressed unhappiness over the sharing of seats in the state.

Meanwhile, RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha, after pulling out of the NDA on December 10 over the issue of seat allocation for 2019 Lok Sabha elections, joined the UPA on December 20 to be a part of the grand alliance.

JD-U had contested the last Assembly elections in alliance with the RJD against the BJP and even formed the government, but later defected to the NDA and formed the government with the BJP’s support in the state.

BJP president Amit Shah announced on Sunday that his party would contest 17 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, while the Janata Dal (United) would fight from an equal number of seats.

BJP president Amit Shah announced on Sunday that his party would contest 17 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, while the Janata Dal (United) would fight from an equal number of seats. The Lok Jantantrik Party (LJP), led by union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, meanwhile will fight from six seats. Talking to media persons, Shah said that the alliance would contest the coming Lok Sabha polls under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also said that there was no difference of any kind within the NDA in Bihar. The BJP president further said seat allocation would be decided in the coming days. Growing discontentment among the NDA allies in Bihar came out in the open when LJP’s Chirag Paswan told the media that the BJP had digressed to ‘non-issues’ like the Ram temple and had demanded urgent steps to return to the ‘real issue’ of development. Chirag had also expressed unhappiness over the sharing of seats in the state. Meanwhile, RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha, after pulling out of the NDA on December 10 over the issue of seat allocation for 2019 Lok Sabha elections, joined the UPA on December 20 to be a part of the grand alliance. JD-U had contested the last Assembly elections in alliance with the RJD against the BJP and even formed the government, but later defected to the NDA and formed the government with the BJP’s support in the state.

2019 polls: BJP, JD(U) to contest 17 seats each in Bihar, LJP to fight from remaining 6

Key NDA ally Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) on Wednesday made public its unease with the BJP, saying it had digressed to "non-issues" like Ram temple and demanded urgent steps to return to the "real issue" of development.

LJP leader Chirag Paswan, while being critical of the BJP, praised Congress President Rahul Gandhi, saying he had raised "real" issues of the youth and farmers, which fetched his party victory in the recently-held Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Chirag Paswan, the son of LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, told ANI that the BJP lost the Assembly elections because it failed to address the issues of farmers and youth unemployment and emphasized on Ram temple only.

"We have few concerns. All the allies have their concerns. It's for the biggest party in our alliance, the BJP, to address the concerns," he said.

He specified that seat-sharing "is not an issue at all" and "It will be too early to talk about going out of the alliance."

At the same time, he said, "The NDA was voted to power in 2014 on the issue of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas' (cooperation to all, development for all). The youth, the farmers had supported our government. But recently, non-issues have dominated over the real issues, because of which we had to suffer losses in these (Assembly) elections."

The 35-year-old MP from Bihar said, "The youth have no jobs, farmers are committing suicide and are indebted. The result of three states proves that it's important for the BJP to address these concerns, which the BJP is not being doing."

Emphasising that the "agenda of our government is and should be development," he said, "when the agenda gets diverted and other issues like Ram Mandir start taking over, such failures are bound."

He said the LJP has put forth its views before the BJP considering itself a "life partner" of the NDA and expressed hope that "our issues will be addressed at the earliest."

He underlined that there is an urgent need for the BJP to return to the issue of development like in 2014 by keeping way the issues like Ram temple.

He said the BJP and its allies need to restrategise their policy ahead of the Lok Sabha elections due by May next year.

Referring to the recent Assembly polls, Paswan said Ram temple and Hanuman were made issues while on the other hand, the opposition raised the voice for farmers and the youth, which gave them benefits.

"We are not against the Ram temple. That is in the manifesto of the BJP," he said.

Talking about Rahul Gandhi, he said, "There has definitely been a positive change in him."

He said credit must be given to him for the Congress party's victories after a long time.

He said Gandhi has been criticised several times for his party's defeat in elections but now since under his leadership, the party has been victorious, he should be praised.

"If you criticise someone, you should also appreciate them when they perform well. They chose issues well," Paswan said about Gandhi.

He said Gandhi raised "real issues" as he spoke about farmers and the youth, which benefitted the Congress in the elections."The manner in which they raised the issue of farmers and unemployment, I feel they chose well and we stayed tangled in religion and temples. I urge the government that we should focus once again solely on development in the time to come," Paswan said.&nbsp;

Key NDA ally Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) on Wednesday made public its unease with the BJP, saying it had digressed to "non-issues" like Ram temple and demanded urgent steps to return to the "real issue" of development.

Key NDA ally Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) on Wednesday made public its unease with the BJP, saying it had digressed to "non-issues" like Ram temple and demanded urgent steps to return to the "real issue" of development. LJP leader Chirag Paswan, while being critical of the BJP, praised Congress President Rahul Gandhi, saying he had raised "real" issues of the youth and farmers, which fetched his party victory in the recently-held Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Chirag Paswan, the son of LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, told ANI that the BJP lost the Assembly elections because it failed to address the issues of farmers and youth unemployment and emphasized on Ram temple only. "We have few concerns. All the allies have their concerns. It's for the biggest party in our alliance, the BJP, to address the concerns," he said. He specified that seat-sharing "is not an issue at all" and "It will be too early to talk about going out of the alliance." At the same time, he said, "The NDA was voted to power in 2014 on the issue of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas' (cooperation to all, development for all). The youth, the farmers had supported our government. But recently, non-issues have dominated over the real issues, because of which we had to suffer losses in these (Assembly) elections." The 35-year-old MP from Bihar said, "The youth have no jobs, farmers are committing suicide and are indebted. The result of three states proves that it's important for the BJP to address these concerns, which the BJP is not being doing." Emphasising that the "agenda of our government is and should be development," he said, "when the agenda gets diverted and other issues like Ram Mandir start taking over, such failures are bound." He said the LJP has put forth its views before the BJP considering itself a "life partner" of the NDA and expressed hope that "our issues will be addressed at the earliest." He underlined that there is an urgent need for the BJP to return to the issue of development like in 2014 by keeping way the issues like Ram temple. He said the BJP and its allies need to restrategise their policy ahead of the Lok Sabha elections due by May next year. Referring to the recent Assembly polls, Paswan said Ram temple and Hanuman were made issues while on the other hand, the opposition raised the voice for farmers and the youth, which gave them benefits. "We are not against the Ram temple. That is in the manifesto of the BJP," he said. Talking about Rahul Gandhi, he said, "There has definitely been a positive change in him." He said credit must be given to him for the Congress party's victories after a long time. He said Gandhi has been criticised several times for his party's defeat in elections but now since under his leadership, the party has been victorious, he should be praised. "If you criticise someone, you should also appreciate them when they perform well. They chose issues well," Paswan said about Gandhi. He said Gandhi raised "real issues" as he spoke about farmers and the youth, which benefitted the Congress in the elections."The manner in which they raised the issue of farmers and unemployment, I feel they chose well and we stayed tangled in religion and temples. I urge the government that we should focus once again solely on development in the time to come," Paswan said.

LJP makes public its unease with BJP over Ram temple

Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief Upendra Kushwaha on Wednesday asserted that arrogance of BJP and Nitish Kumar were one of the reasons behind leaving the NDA and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) should also follow suit.

In an exclusive conversation with ANI, Kushwaha said, "People of NDA have become arrogant, particularly in the context of Bihar such as Nitish Kumar, who is also being supported by the key leadership of BJP. Their conceit was somewhere a big reason behind us getting away from them. Others would also not be safe from this arrogance for long. Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) must also come out of alliance as soon as possible. These people have decided to destroy small parties and if LJP has also started to feel the same, they must exit the alliance at the earliest."

He also launched a scathing attack on Bihar government and asserted that it has completely failed to fulfil the expectations of people.&nbsp;

"Janta Dal (United) and BJP have governed Bihar for about 13-14 years now. There were a lot of expectations from Nitish Kumar and this government. Education would improve, healthcare facilities for poor will get better, youth migration will stop but nothing as such happened."

"If they could not do it in all these years when their third term is about to end, people would naturally desire a change. In this time whosoever will be with Nitish Kumar would also face worse. It is good that if BJP is with them, they will also go down with them and both Bihar and the country would get a good government", he added.

Kushwaha also outlined that no decision on whether his party will join the grand alliance or would fight independently. He, however, confirmed that for his party the grand alliance and the third front are options.

Kushwaha, who had pulled out of the NDA on December 10 and had also resigned as the Minister of State for Human Resource Development, cornered the Central government as well and emphasised that people are looking for a change now.

"Countdown for the Central government has begun. People had a great expectation from it but it disappointed people of the country. Farmers are in distress, the youth did not get employment. So naturally, there will be change now", said Kushwaha.

While replying to a question, Kushwaha also remarked that Rahul Gandhi has developed his `personality` and people are looking towards him as an option for replacing Narendra Modi.

Kushwaha also criticised BJP on the Ram Mandir issue and said that BJP is not interested in constructing it but is only misleading people for votes.

Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief Upendra Kushwaha on Wednesday asserted that arrogance of BJP and Nitish Kumar were one of the reasons behind leaving the NDA and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) should also follow suit.

Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief Upendra Kushwaha on Wednesday asserted that arrogance of BJP and Nitish Kumar were one of the reasons behind leaving the NDA and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) should also follow suit. In an exclusive conversation with ANI, Kushwaha said, "People of NDA have become arrogant, particularly in the context of Bihar such as Nitish Kumar, who is also being supported by the key leadership of BJP. Their conceit was somewhere a big reason behind us getting away from them. Others would also not be safe from this arrogance for long. Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) must also come out of alliance as soon as possible. These people have decided to destroy small parties and if LJP has also started to feel the same, they must exit the alliance at the earliest." He also launched a scathing attack on Bihar government and asserted that it has completely failed to fulfil the expectations of people. "Janta Dal (United) and BJP have governed Bihar for about 13-14 years now. There were a lot of expectations from Nitish Kumar and this government. Education would improve, healthcare facilities for poor will get better, youth migration will stop but nothing as such happened." "If they could not do it in all these years when their third term is about to end, people would naturally desire a change. In this time whosoever will be with Nitish Kumar would also face worse. It is good that if BJP is with them, they will also go down with them and both Bihar and the country would get a good government", he added. Kushwaha also outlined that no decision on whether his party will join the grand alliance or would fight independently. He, however, confirmed that for his party the grand alliance and the third front are options. Kushwaha, who had pulled out of the NDA on December 10 and had also resigned as the Minister of State for Human Resource Development, cornered the Central government as well and emphasised that people are looking for a change now. "Countdown for the Central government has begun. People had a great expectation from it but it disappointed people of the country. Farmers are in distress, the youth did not get employment. So naturally, there will be change now", said Kushwaha. While replying to a question, Kushwaha also remarked that Rahul Gandhi has developed his `personality` and people are looking towards him as an option for replacing Narendra Modi. Kushwaha also criticised BJP on the Ram Mandir issue and said that BJP is not interested in constructing it but is only misleading people for votes.

BJP's arrogance among reasons to leave NDA, LJP must also quit: Upendra Kushwaha

&nbsp;LJP leader Chirag Paswan has said that the poll results in five states were not a sign of the Modi wave waning but the people wanted development from the NDA and they were disappointed when discourses about the Ram Temple took the centre stage.

He told reporters on Thursday that chief ministers of BJP-ruled states Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/assembly-election-results-2018-fight-in-mp-shows-why-shivraj-singh-chouhan-is-still-in-the-reckoning-183397c">Shivraj Singh Chauhan</a> and Raman Singh, had been in power for a long time but they gave a tough fight despite the anti-incumbency factor.

The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) is an ally of the NDA and its president Ram Vilas Paswan is a Union minister.

"I would not say the results are a sign of the Modi wave being on the wane or the BJP being on the downside... But, certainly, there is a need for introspection," Paswan, the chairman of the LJP parliamentary board, said.

To queries about what lessons, in his view, could be drawn from the BJP's defeat in Hindi heartland states, he said, "I would not speak in terms of lessons as such. But certainly, development has been the motto of the BJP as also the larger NDA coalition. When issues like Ram Temple and Hanuman start dominating the discourse, it leads to doubts and disappointment among the voters."

During campaigning for the polls in these states, senior BJP leaders such as the party's national president Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were accused of playing the Hindutva card.

To a question on the possibility of the Narendra Modi government bringing in an ordinance to facilitate the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, Chirag Paswan said, "If such an ordinance is brought, the LJP will think over it and come out with its stand. As of now, the party is in favour of waiting till the court comes out with its verdict on the issue."

He said the LJP has never raised any unreasonable demand from the BJP.

"We have been a responsible alliance partner and are fully committed to ensuring the prime minister's return to power. We want the NDA to perform better than it did in 2014," the LJP leader said.

With the exit of Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), the NDA in Bihar is now left with the LJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U).

Speculation is rife that following the BJP's recent defeat in polls, the remaining two NDA constituents in Bihar may flex their muscles.&nbsp;

LJP leader Chirag Paswan has said that the poll results in five states were not a sign of the Modi wave waning but the people wanted development from the NDA and they were disappointed when discourses about the Ram Temple took the centre stage.

LJP leader Chirag Paswan has said that the poll results in five states were not a sign of the Modi wave waning but the people wanted development from the NDA and they were disappointed when discourses about the Ram Temple took the centre stage. He told reporters on Thursday that chief ministers of BJP-ruled states Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Raman Singh, had been in power for a long time but they gave a tough fight despite the anti-incumbency factor. The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) is an ally of the NDA and its president Ram Vilas Paswan is a Union minister. "I would not say the results are a sign of the Modi wave being on the wane or the BJP being on the downside... But, certainly, there is a need for introspection," Paswan, the chairman of the LJP parliamentary board, said. To queries about what lessons, in his view, could be drawn from the BJP's defeat in Hindi heartland states, he said, "I would not speak in terms of lessons as such. But certainly, development has been the motto of the BJP as also the larger NDA coalition. When issues like Ram Temple and Hanuman start dominating the discourse, it leads to doubts and disappointment among the voters." During campaigning for the polls in these states, senior BJP leaders such as the party's national president Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were accused of playing the Hindutva card. To a question on the possibility of the Narendra Modi government bringing in an ordinance to facilitate the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, Chirag Paswan said, "If such an ordinance is brought, the LJP will think over it and come out with its stand. As of now, the party is in favour of waiting till the court comes out with its verdict on the issue." He said the LJP has never raised any unreasonable demand from the BJP. "We have been a responsible alliance partner and are fully committed to ensuring the prime minister's return to power. We want the NDA to perform better than it did in 2014," the LJP leader said. With the exit of Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), the NDA in Bihar is now left with the LJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U). Speculation is rife that following the BJP's recent defeat in polls, the remaining two NDA constituents in Bihar may flex their muscles.

People got disappointed over Ram, Hanuman dominating discourse: Chirag

Ljp, News on Ljp, stories on Ljp, articles on Ljp, Ljp stories at Wion, Ljp news, Ljp latest news

ljp