BJP rules out differences, says ready to overthrow Lalu-Nitish in Bihar

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday ruled out differences among its allies over the seat sharing in Bihar, saying the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is ready to overthrow the RJD-JD (U) alliance in the state.

"All the NDA allies are focused on a single goal of overthrowing the government of Lalu-Nitish in Bihar. Nobody is annoyed in the NDA, there is a discussion taking place on the seat sharing strategy," BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain told ANI here.

"The talks are on for the seat-sharing with all the allies. We will reach a conclusion soon," he added.

The NDA is likely to announce the seat-sharing for Bihar Assembly polls later today.

BJP president Amit Shah has so far held discussions with HAM chief Jitan Ram Manjhi, who had expressed dissatisfaction with the number of seats to be allotted to his party, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) supremo Ram Vilas Paswan and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief Upendra Kushwaha to iron out differences over some seats.

Manjhi, who had initially agreed to go with the BJP president's efforts to settle the seat-sharing, is now reportedly looking for more than 15 seats.

Polls to the 243-member Bihar Assembly will be held in five phases starting on October 12 and ending on November 5. Counting of votes will take place on November 8.