Our way or no way: Cong,LJP join hands to corner Lalu

While Paswan has threatened to field candidates on all the 40 seats if the RJD did not part with 16,and the Congress has demanded 15 seats,Lalu is not likely to part with more than 17 seats for the two partners — 12 at the most for the LJP and five for the Congress.

In 2004,the RJD had contested bulk of the 40 seats in the state,leaving just four and eight for the Congress and LJP respectively. This time,however,realising that the RJD is facing an uphill task on its home turf,the Congress has joined hands with Paswan to ensure that Lalu doesn’t boss over seat distribution. In talks with the RJD chief today,this was conveyed in no uncertain terms.

The Congress in-charge of the screening committee for Bihar,Sushil Kumar Shinde,on Thursday held separate talks with Lalu and Paswan. Coming out from both,he repeated the demand to have a new seat-sharing formula. Paswan seconded it,indicating that he was not stuck on his 16 or 40 stand.