The INDIA bloc sailed into rough waters in Bihar on Thursday after Lalu Prasad’s RJD started distributing tickets for the Lok Sabha elections without a seat-sharing agreement with the allies and a formal announcement.

The party gave election symbols to its candidates for at least five of the 40 Lok Sabha seats to help them file their nomination papers. However, the sources said that the party had given the symbol (lantern) to seven candidates so far.

“Nominations are being filed for Aurangabad, Gaya, Jamui and Nawada seats that will go to polls in the first phase of the general elections in the state. The last date for filing nominations is March 28. Accordingly, tickets have been given by our party to four candidates,” RJD spokesperson Chitranjan Gagan told The Telegraph.

RJD leader Kumar Sarvjeet has been given the ticket from Gaya, where he will be pitted against NDA candidate Jitan Ram Manjhi. Former chief minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha Secular leader

“I have been given the ticket as part of the strategy for the polls. I will file the nomination papers on March 28,” Sarvjeet said.

Abhay Kushwaha, who recently quit the JDU and joined the RJD, has been made the candidate from Aurangabad, while Shravan Kushwaha
and Archana Ravidas will contest from Nawada and Jamui, respectively.

“The party has given the ticket to former minister Sudhakar Singh for the Buxar Lok Sabha seat,” Gagan said.

The unilateral move by the RJD — the largest party in the Opposition alliance in Bihar — stung its partners.

Bihar Congress president and Rajya Sabha member Akhilesh Prasad Singh, who was in Delhi, rushed to Patna and went to meet Lalu directly from the airport. He appeared visibly annoyed after coming out but asserted that everything was well.

But other Congress leaders slammed the RJD, especially because the Grand Old Party had been demanding nine seats, including Aurangabad, from where senior leader and former Kerala governor Nikhil Kumar was tipped to contest.

“We do not condone the act of giving symbols without finalising the seat sharing and announcing it. Though we are a part of the alliance, the sentiments and aspirations of all partners should be considered,” Bihar Congress legislature party leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan told The Telegraph.

The CPIML, the third largest party in the alliance, also hit out at the RJD.

“The seat-sharing talks have not concluded. Things are already delayed and distributing tickets without consensus or the acceptance of allies is not right. We hope that the alliance continues though the indications do not augur well,” CPIML Bihar secretary Kunal told this newspaper.