Jaitley discusses Bihar seat-sharing with Ram Vilas Paswan

New Delhi: Union Minister Arun Jaitley Friday held discussions with Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan and his son Chirag Paswan over seat sharing arrangements in Bihar for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The discussion came a day after LJP leaders met BJP President Amit Shah and shared their concerns over the delay in holding talks over the seat sharing issue.

After the meeting with Jaitley, LJP Parliamentary Board Chairman Chirag Paswan expressed hopes that talks would move in the right direction.

“Talks are going on. An announcement will be made at an appropriate time. We have put our points before the BJP leadership and the important thing is that we are being heard. Hope everything will be fine,” he told reporters.

His uncle, Ram Chandra Paswan, who also attended the meeting, said that the LJP would remain part of National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

“We are and will remain in the NDA. Seat sharing will be announced this week,” Ram Chandra Paswan said.

Sources in the BJP said a final arrangement of seats would be formalised after a meeting of the BJP and LJP leaders with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is in Delhi.