To bolster NDA, BJP wants Chirag Paswan & Pashupati Kumar Paras to bury differences

PATNA: With no sign of "truce" visible between the two warring factions of the LJP-one headed by Union minister Pashupati Kumar Paras and the other by his nephew and parliamentarian Chirag Paswan, the BJP now appears to be doing multiple experiments about how to utilize their services without disturbing the NDA poll prospects.
The fact came to light after the BJP kept the LJP (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan out of Karnataka poll campaign and instead engaged his uncle Paras, much to the annoyance of the Chirag camp.This was in sharp contrast to the bye-election to three assembly seats-Mokama, Gopalganj and Kurhani- held in the state last year when the BJP involved Chirag in the poll campaign and was able to win two of the three seats.
But now the Chirag faction feels offended by the way the BJP leadership attached no prominence to Chirag in Karnataka polls, party sources said. "Had Chirag Paswan campaigned, it would have left a massive impact on Karnataka elections and the BJP would have largely benefited. Anyway, it's BJP's prerogative to invite whosoever it wants. We have nothing to comment on it," LJP (RV)'s chief spokesperson Rajesh Bhatt said. Describing him as the political heir of his father late Ram Vilas Paswan, Bhatt said Chirag can't be compared to any other Dalit leader.
Informed sources said the BJP is treading the path cautiously since Chirag has so far maintained equal distance from both the saffron leadership and the ruling Grand Alliance, and has taken an independent line. Except for campaigning for the BJP in last year's by-elections, Chirag has not shown his eagerness to be a part of the NDA and appears to be in a "wait & watch" mode.
The BJP rather wants both factions of the erstwhile LJP to come together and bolster the NDA against the seven-party Grand Alliance which was formed in August last year. "It would be better if they come together against the prevailing 'Jungle Raj' and the ruling Mahagathbandhan in the state," BJP's national spokesperson Guru Prakash told the TOI.