Is Everything Fine? Upendra Kushwaha Responds Amid NDA Seat-Sharing Controversy

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Upendra Kushwaha seeks to calm his supporters amid seat allocation issues.
- The NDA has a complex seat-sharing arrangement for the Bihar elections.
- Internal party pressures are evident within the RLM regarding the number of seats.
- Union Minister Nityanand Rai supports Kushwaha's reassurances.
- The opposition is leveraging discontent within the NDA.
New Delhi, Oct 15 (NationPress) Upendra Kushwaha, leader of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), attempted to address speculation regarding discontent within the NDA, following the allocation of just six seats to his party in the seat-sharing deal for the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Before heading to Delhi, Kushwaha stated, “I am going to Delhi to discuss the remaining issues related to whatever the NDA has decided,” suggesting that discussions are ongoing.
Union Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, also conveyed a positive message, affirming, “Upendra Kushwaha said that everything is fine and everything will be alright,” when asked about potential tensions within the coalition.
Kushwaha’s comments followed an emotional plea he made to his supporters after the NDA’s seat-sharing announcement. The RLM chief, who faced internal pressure regarding the limited seat allocation, took to social media on Sunday to apologize to his disappointed party members.
“I seek your forgiveness. The number of seats could not meet your expectations. I understand that this decision will hurt the hearts of thousands—millions—of people, including those colleagues who aspired to be candidates of our party,” Kushwaha expressed on X.
He further recognized the profound disappointment among his supporters: “Today, in many homes, food might not have been prepared. However, I am confident that you all understand the constraints and limitations faced by me and the party.”
“Behind every decision, there are circumstances that are visible from the outside, yet some remain hidden. I humbly request you to let your anger diminish, and you will yourself understand how just or unjust the decision is. Time will reveal the truth,” he added.
The NDA's seat-sharing agreement, revealed on Sunday, designates 101 seats each to the BJP and JD(U), 29 to Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and six each to Upendra Kushwaha’s RLM and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM).
Meanwhile, the opposition has capitalized on the discontent, asserting that everything is not fine within the NDA.