LJP thanks RJD, but says won't contest RS poll in Bihar

PATNA: The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) led by Chirag Paswan on Tuesday refused to take the bait thrown by the RJD to contest one Rajya Sabha seat in Bihar, while expressing gratitude to the opposition party for extending support.

The Rajya Sabha seat from Bihar fell vacant after the demise of Dalit leader and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan. The filing of nominations will start from December 3 and the election, if needed, will be held on December 14.

The RJD had reportedly offered to support the candidature of Ram Vilas's widow Reena Paswan in case she wished to challenge NDA candidate Sushil Kumar Modi.

The LJP, through its official Twitter handle, clarified that the party will not contest the Rajya Sabha election. "Members of the RJD have expressed desire to support an LJP candidate. We express gratitude to them but the LJP will not contest this seat," the LJP tweeted.

"This seat was reserved for our respected leader, late Ram Vilas Paswan ji. As he is no more with us, it is up to the BJP to give the ticket to anyone," it said.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Shyam Rajak is among the front runners among candidates for the RS seat even though the party has not opened its cards so far. NDA candidate Sushil Kumar Modi will file his nomination on December 3. (IANS)

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