Attempts to rope in SP and BSP MLAs

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Patna, Mar 27 (UNI) With barely two days left for the biennial election to Rajya Sabha in Bihar, activities in the NDA and a ''divided'' UPA have reached crescendo, while attempts are being made to rope in MLAs of the Bahujan Samajwadi Party and the Samajwadi Party to ensur victory of their respective candidates.

RJD chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and his Cabinet colleague Ram Vilas Paswan were not leaving anything to chance in this matter.

The BSP has four MLAs in the state Assembly, while the SP has two.

One of the BSP MLAs, Amarendra Pandey, was presently lodged in jail.

The fate of the LJP candidate, however, hinged purely on the BJP and the JD (U). Surplus votes were available with the BJP and the Independents.

Despite the sour relationship between Mr Paswan and BSP chief Mayawati, the LJP candidate was trying to persuade three BSP MLAs, belonging to the Yadav community, in his favour.

RJD's second candidate Rajniti Prasad had 30 votes in his kitty, five short of the required number. The RJD was also trying its best to win support of the BSP MLA and Independents.

State JD (U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lallan Singh told newspersons today that Independents would support the LJP candidate in the RS election as the former were supporting the government, '' There is no need for managing their votes, '' the JD (U) president remarked.

He said talks were being held with the SP and BSP in this regard.

The RJD had even constituted a committee under the convenorship of former Minister Jagtanand Singh even as the BSP had kept the cards closed to its chest, keeping the contenders guessing. All MLAs have to show their ballot papers before the representatives of respective parties before dropping them into the ballot boxes. MLAs not casting votes in accordance with the whips could even face disqualification.

Mr Paswan was also in the state capital yesterday apparently to strengthen chances of victory of his party candidate.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had already stated that the surplus votes of the NDA would go in favour of LJP candidate Ranjan Prasad Yadav.

After being routed in the last Assembly election, RJD chief Lalu Prasad was, however, leaving no stone unturned for stopping the LJP candidate from entering the Upper House of Parliament.

UNI

For Daily Alerts
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
X