Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) leader Upendra Kushwaha expressed strong displeasure over the distribution of seats, especially in Mahua constituency, which was allocated to the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), reported News18 Hindi, citing sources.
Kushwaha would be upset because he was planning to get his son out of Mahua seat. The situation has become more complex following reports that some constituencies initially promised to Kushwaha’s party are now being reallocated to other NDA allies.
Internal sources cited in News18 Hindi’s report reveal that the RLM chief feels “humiliated” by the development, leading to growing friction within the alliance.
Tensions within the NDA are not bornw. Earlier disagreements between the BJP and the JD(U) over seat allocation had already surfaced.
However, Kushwaha’s discontent seems to have further complicated the internal balance of the coalition a few weeks before the election.
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Signs of discord become public
The first sign of Kushwaha’s displeasure came when he repeatedly asked senior party leaders to avoid attending the inauguration events of any NDA candidate.
The RLM chief returned to Patna from Sasaram on Tuesday, October 14, after which a series of senior BJP leaders, including Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary, Nityanand Rai, Nitin Navin and Rituraj Sinha, rushed to his residence for an emergency meeting.
Marathon talks behind closed doors
The closed-door discussions began around 11 p.m. and continued until nearly 5 a.m. on Wednesday, October 15. Kushwaha remained firm on his stand despite marathon efforts to persuade him, according to News18 Hindi.
He reportedly told the visiting BJP leaders that he would not accept any compromise until he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah “in person”.
‘Nothing is wrong with NDA,’ says Upendra Kushwaha
When Kushwaha finally appeared to face the waiting reporters at dawn, he offered a brief but telling response that fueled further speculation.
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“This time, nothing is going right in the NDA,” Kushwaha said.
Kushwaha is NOW is expected to travel to Delhi soon to meet Amit Shah, according to News18 hindi. Political observers believe the meeting will be crucial in determining whether he continues with the NDA or explores other policy avenues.
The episode has left the political corridors of Bihar in turmoil, with one central question dominating the debate: Is Upendra Kushwaha preparing for another dramatic political shift, or is he using his dissent to negotiate a stronger position within the alliance?
