New Delhi, September 26
Ruling out possibility of any understanding with the RJD in the post-poll scenario in Bihar, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan today made it clear that his party will not leave any seats for the Congress and contest 242 of 243 seats in the state along with its allies.

Mr Paswan, who had earlier indicated leaving out seats held by the Congress, toughened his position today saying that the Congress was now a part of the RJD-led alliance.

The LJP chief said his party would attack both the RJD and NDA in its election rallies. Asked if he would also speak against the Congress, Mr Paswan said there was no need as the party had little presence in Bihar. “The Congress does not matter (in Bihar),” he said.

The LJP chief said final round of talks was being held with the CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc on seat sharing. He indicated that the CPI could contest 36 seats and the first list of candidates would be released on Wednesday. Mr Paswan said seat sharing talks had not been held with the CPI(M-L) and the Samajwadi Party.

Mr Paswan, whose party held the keys for government formation in the last assembly poll, exuded confidence that the LJP and its allies would form the next government in the state.

His consistent stand on a Muslim Chief Minister had forced both the NDA and RJD-alliance to offer concession of reservation to the main minority community. The LJP chief, who addressed nearly 50 election meetings during his 15-day tour of Bihar, said the party’s base had expanded with support of minorities and backward classes. The party would put up upper caste candidates in seats where they had heavy population.

He said unlike the last elections, his party had organisational set up in every district of Bihar. “The people have greater faith in me as I have lived to every word said by me in the last elections,” he said.

The LJP had decided to contest 242 of the 243 seats in the state, leaving one seat for the daughter-in-law of the slain Congress leader Rajo Singh.

Asked whether framing of fresh charges against RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in the multi-crore fodder scam by special CBI courts in Ranchi would be a poll issue, Mr Paswan said corruption was already an issue in Bihar. On whether the Railway Minister should resign, Mr Paswan quipped, “you better ask him.” He said the LJP will keep its distance both from the NDA and RJD before and after poll.