'Several Mahagathbandhan MLAs in touch with NDA': Chirag Paswan's big claim; Bihar assembly session from Monday

NEW DELHI: Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan — whose party is part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that swept the recent Bihar assembly polls — on Sunday claimed that “several MLAs” from the opposition Mahagathbandhan are in touch with the ruling camp.

Paswan made the remark while responding to questions from journalists about speculation that at least four newly elected Congress MLAs — the party won only six seats — are in touch with the Janata Dal (United), led by chief minister Nitish Kumar.


“I cannot say about any specific party but many opposition MLAs are in touch with the NDA. They feel that it is only in this coalition, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that they can serve the people,” he said, according to news agency PTI.

The Hajipur MP argued that there is “growing disenchantment” with the opposition, which he accused of doing “nothing constructive” and of "obstructing" the government’s functioning.

“This has been noticed during every session of the Parliament. We anticipate similar behaviour in the session beginning tomorrow when, incidentally, the session of the state assembly is also going to commence,” Paswan, a former actor, remarked.

The winter session of Parliament and a special five-day session of the Bihar assembly — the first since the elections — will begin on Monday. The Parliament session will conclude on December 19.

However, Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram — who himself lost in the recent polls — bristled at the LJP (RV) chief claim.

“This has been a narrative that always does the rounds whenever elections are held. We heard similar things in 2020, but all our 19 MLAs remained with the party,” Ram stated.

The NDA secured 202 of the assembly’s 243 seats. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, followed by ally JD(U) with 85. The LJP (RV) recorded its best-ever performance, winning 19 of the 28 seats it contested, with two of its MLAs inducted as ministers. Alliance partners Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha bagged five and four seats, respectively.

In contrast, the Mahagathbandhan managed only 35 seats, of which 25 came from its biggest constituent, the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

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