The opposition Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Bihar is likely to hold its first formal meeting on the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on Monday at the residence of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in Patna.
The meeting is likely to be attended by all constituents of the Mahagathbandhan that comprises the RJD, Congress, former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha's RLSP, former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM and veteran socialist leader Sharad Yadav's LJD. Tejashwi is the leader of the opposition in the state assembly.
According to sources in the Mahagathbandhan, the meeting will be marked by "broad discussions on the respective number of seats to be fought by each constituent, and identifying constituencies best suited for each alliance partner". The sources, however, added that a final agreement may be deferred till the release of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, who is serving sentences in Fodder Scam cases. Lalu's bail application has been reserved by the Jharkhand High Court.
Moreover, leaders of the Mahagathbandhan have also been stating that a public announcement about the seat-sharing arrangements will be made only after January 14, when the inauspicious month of 'Kharmaas' comes to an end.
Meanwhile, Jitan Ram Manjhi rubbished reports that have appeared in a section of the media, claiming that he was toying with the idea of a possible return to the NDA, as he was not getting his due in the Mahagathbandhan. "This is nonsense. Only on Saturday, I was in Ranchi to meet Lalu Prasad. It is another thing that because of his poor health, I avoided getting into any detailed discussions on political matters," Manjhi told reporters.
In an alliance, all constituents have to be ready to make some sacrifices, Manjhi said.
"We are not at all insistent on a particular number of seats in Lok Sabha polls, and though we maintain that we are in a good position in at least 20 out of 40 seats in the state, we will work for the Mahagathbandhan's victory even if we end up fighting not a single seat," Manjhi asserted.
