New Delhi, January 15
The possibility of an understanding between the Congress and its UPA allies appears remote with the Congress releasing a list of 17 candidates for the first phase of next month’s Bihar assembly elections.
Although the Congress and the RJD, supported by the Left parties and the NCP, publicly maintain that talks are on for a last-minute rapprochement, its leaders privately admit that this might not be possible now. There are some diehard optimists in both camps who believe that nothing could be ruled out as the last date for the withdrawal of nominations is January 17.
There has been no official word from the Congress but its leaders have indicated that the RJD’s offer of 30-odd seats was not acceptable and that it would go ahead and contest around 80 seats in Bihar. It has, however, clarified that it will not field candidates in the seats already held by its allies, the RJD and the Left parties.
With the UPA allies reciprocating the sentiment, Bihar appears headed for “friendly contests” between the Congress and its allies. With the Congress and the RJD failing to arrive at an understanding, Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav’s bete noire, LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan, has stepped in to extend support to the Congress. He has announced that he will not field candidates against the Congress sitting legislators and will even campaign for them.
All these developments have only added to the confusing scenario in Bihar. It is feared that it could get worse once electioneering gets under way. There are fears that despite all conciliatory noises being made by the RJD chief, he will put up independent candidates against Congress contestants. Mr Yadav, it is felt, will employ all possible methods to ensure that his party wins a sufficient number of seats so that he is not overly-dependent on his allies.
The Congress, on the other hand, believes it is imperative for it to contest a respectable number of seats in a key state like Bihar, failing which it could be wiped out.
Besides, by winning a substantial number of seats, it would be able to contain Mr Yadav who might need the Congress number to stay in power.
