LJP 'agrees' with R K Singh's concern

Singh has raised concerns over people with tainted image getting party tickets in Bihar

LJP today said it agreed with BJP MP R K Singh's concern over people with tainted image getting party tickets in Bihar, even as it dubbed the row over his controversial claims as the internal matter of BJP.

LJP leader Chirag Paswan said Singh's allegations would not have any impact on the NDA's prospects in the state as he named 11 more party candidates for the Assembly elections.

Party is yet to announce names for eight of its 40 seats.

"I agree with R K Singh's concern that people with criminal background should not be getting tickets. Such people must be stopped from entering politics and all parties should make efforts for this," he told a press conference.

Ironically, LJP has been accused in the past of giving tickets to many people with criminal background and even this time it has named as candidates several kin of its senior leader Surajbhan Singh, who has a string of charges against him and whose wife is a Lok Sabha MP from Paswan's party.

Among the candidates announced today are Bihar LJP chief Pashupati Kumar Paras, Chirag's uncle who has been put up from Rajapakar constituency. He is also fighting from Alauli seat.

His loss from Alauli in 2010 may have played a role in him deciding to fight from two seats this time, Chiran said.

BJP's other allies, RLSP and HAM (secular), have named all their candidates.

BJP is yet to name its six candidates.

BJP, LJP, RLSP and HAM(S) are fighting from 159, 40, 23 and 21 constituencies respectively in the 243-seat Bihar assembly polls.