Sources earlier informed that after a meeting with senior BJP leaders in Delhi Giriraj refused to contest from Begusarai seat and demanded to contest from Nawada, from where he is the sitting Member of Parliament.
This time, as the NDA announced seat-sharing arrangement in Bihar, Giriraj’s turf went to Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party. The alliance has placed LJP candidate Chandan Kumar in Nawada.
Speaking for the first time after being displaced from his turf, Giriraj Singh said that he was not taken into confidence before making last minute changes in his seat. He said he was not even asked before bringing the change. He said he does not hold a grudge against the party high-command, but at the state leadership.
“Until the state leadership satisfies me about the change of seat, I cannot compromise with my self-respect,” said the Union Minister of State.
“Chirag Paswan had asked me to contest from wherever I want. State unit president Nityanand Rai had also told me the same, still I was not even asked before changing my constituency,” he said.
The NDA in a surprising move, did not give a ticket to BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Husain in Begusarai, but to Giriraj Singh.
Giriraj will be locked in a three sided battle in Begusarai if he agrees to contest from there. The Communist Party of India fielded former JNU student union leader Kanhaiya Kumar from Begusarai, which is known for the influence of the left parties. The Congress, RJD and HAM alliance has not yet declared its candidate from Begusarai. .