NEW DELHI: On a day Samajwadi Party announced its decision to break ranks with the Janta Parivar ahead of the Bihar elections over seats sharing, the BJP expressed its optimism that the news of fissures within the ruling alliance in the state would impact the electoral outcome.
BJP cited examples of an earlier partner of Nitish-Lalu combine, the NCP which walked out of the alliance three months ago saying that they were not given enough representation. Now, SP had walked out.
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Electorally speaking, the Samajwadi party does not have a base in the state. However, with its focus on the Yadav-Muslim votebank, it shares its ideological pinnings with the Lalu Prasad Yadav-led RJD.
SP had broken alliance with Janta Parivar saying its candidates were humiliated and not given tickets.
“SP does not have a base in the state. But the people at the ground level would now be aware that Nitish-Lalu combine was shaky. This helps our cause,” a senior BJP leader from the state said.
He explained the electoral arithmetic which would favour the BJP. “What will help the BJP in the state would be the division of Yadav votes in the assembly seats. If SP decides to contest alone, it will eat into Lalu’s share.”
“The reason SP broke away was that it wanted more seats. The same issue would impact JDU-RJD combine. Last time in 2010 JDU contested on 141 seats, while the RJD in over 240. Now this time, both are getting 100 each. So the disgruntled leaders who would not get tickets, may contest independently or join BJP,” the BJP leader added.
With last Prime Minister Narendra Modi rally in Bhagalpur drawing huge crowds, the BJP’s confidence has increased, coupled with the fissures in the alliance.
Union Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the reason cited by Samajwadi Party for quitting the alliance was "very petty" adding that the real reason Mulayam Singh Yadav's party had chosen that course as it realised the coalition lacked strength.
"Samajwadi Party's decision to part ways with JD(U)-RJD- Congress combine reflects the unrest and panic in opposition.
No party will hold ground in Bihar against the BJP, especially after successful rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “We feel that it is not a question of five seats. This is the result of poor crowds at their rally at Gandhi Maidan and Samajwadi Party saw this and realised that the alliance will not work as it does not have much strength," Rudy said.
The fissures within the Janta Parivar led the BJP to sharpen its attack on the remaining partners Nitish-Lalu.
"The day Nitish Kumar joined hands with Lalu Prasad he lost his credibility. Lalu's DNA has started having an influence on Nitish Kumar's DNA ever since, going by the language and speech of Bihar Chief Minister," Rajiv Pratap Rudy said.
The BJP also released the video of Nitish Kumar in which he is shown as chiding the agitating protesting teachers at a public event in Samastipur.
"Nitish is speaking in the manner in which Lalu used to speak. His behaviour shows the effect of Lalu's DNA on him," the Union minister said.