"Darbhanga is our traditional seat. We have won it many times. Even in the 2014 polls, which were swept by the BJP-led NDA, our candidate lost the battle by a thin margin. We would, therefore, like to contest the seat again and field Abdul Bari Siddiqui this time. A formal announcement would be made shortly," RJD MLA and chief state spokesman Bhai Virendra told news agency PTI.
Reportedly, Congress President Rahul Gandhi called for a meeting with other Opposition parties at his residence in the national capital on Wednesday. Today’s announcement can be crucial for the fate of Bihar as the state will witness a high decibel electoral battle between the Opposition grand alliance and the ruling Janata Dal-United (JDU) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition in the state.
As per Congress, the Darbhanga Lok Sabha seat is crucial and final decision will be taken after proper discussions between the two parties. Last week the two parties had announced seat sharing agreement in Bihar for the upcoming General Elections. Both Congress and RJD are in alliance in the state under the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ umbrella along with some other parties.
It was also reported that rebel BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha's entry into the Congress was delayed after tussle over seat sharing intensified between Congress and regional giants in Bihar. Sinha is likely to join the Congress party on April 6. Earlier, the RJD was to contest on 20 seats, Congress on nine seats, Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) on five seats, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP) on three seats each and Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation on one seat (from RJD quota).