JDU and allied parties are upset over seat sharing in NDA. Gopal Mandal staged a protest at the Chief Minister's residence, Ratnesh Sada became emotional. Disagreement and lack of transparency in the alliance affected election preparations.
Patna. Discontent is growing among the alliance's constituent parties over seat-sharing in the NDA. Previously, Hindustani Awam Morcha's Mahadalit leader CM Manjhi and Rashtriya Lok Morcha's Upendra Kushwaha had expressed their dissatisfaction, and now, within the Janata Dal (United) (JDU) itself, there is a stir over seat allocation. Amidst this, Gopal Mandal, the JDU MLA from Gopalpur Assembly constituency in Bhagalpur, staged a protest outside the Chief Minister's residence.
Reason for Gopal Mandal's Protest
Gopal Mandal arrived at the Chief Minister's residence with his supporters on Tuesday. He alleged that a conspiracy was underway to deny him his ticket. Mandal stated that some individuals were trying to deprive him of the ticket by strategizing within the Chief Minister's residence. Gopal Mandal clarified that he wanted to meet CM Nitish Kumar to present his case, but when he was denied entry, he began a protest outside the CM's residence with his supporters.
Tears in the Eyes of JDU MLA Ratnesh Sada
Ratnesh Sada, the JDU MLA and minister from Sonbarsa Assembly constituency in Saharsa, also became emotional due to seat sharing. His seat has been allotted to Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). Initially, he was given the party's election symbol, but he later found out that his seat had been given to the LJP. This made Ratnesh Sada emotional, and tears welled up in his eyes before the media.
In a conversation with India TV, Ratnesh Sada stated that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had pulled him out of mud and mire. He added that as soon as people in his constituency received this information, widespread anger erupted there. Ratnesh Sada is considered a Dalit face of JDU and is among Nitish Kumar's close confidantes. His reaction indicates the increasing tension within the alliance.
Discontent Among Alliance Partners
Within the NDA, several allied parties were already upset over seat-sharing. Hindustani Awam Morcha's CM Manjhi protested the failure to secure seats for his supporters, while Rashtriya Lok Morcha's Upendra Kushwaha also expressed dissatisfaction with seat distribution. Now, this issue is deepening within the JDU as well.
The seat-sharing formula within the alliance is not sitting well with several parties. This has also impacted election preparations. Some leaders state that there is a lack of transparency in seat allocation, which is increasing anger and concern among leaders and their supporters.
