Chirag Paswan seeks NDA convenor, coordination panel

NDA constituent Lok Janshakti Party's (LJP) new chief Chirag Paswan on Sunday expressed the need for an NDA coordination committee during the NDA meeting on Sunday. He also demanded a convenor for the ruling coalition, say sources.

Paswan junior's otherwise simple suggestion assumes significance in light of the Shiv Sena exiting from the NDA and the All Jharkhand Students Union deciding to go separate ways in the coming Jharkhand Assembly elections, as is Paswan's own LJP.

At the meet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to have stressed on the progress the NDA has made as a block and co-existing in spite of inherent ideological differences. However, it was not clear whether any decision is taken on constituting a coordination committee in the NDA.

This development comes against the backdrop of Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut raising questions on alleged differences within the NDA fold.

Paswan Junior, in a not-so-subtle statement, said the absence of the Shiv Sena was "felt" on Sunday's meeting.

While noting that the existing NDA constituents, which grew over the years, will work together, he said parties like the Telugu Desam Party and the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party leaving the NDA fold is a matter of concern.

This November, Paswan was unanimously elected as LJP's new national President. Under him, the party decided to go solo in Jharkhand assembly election as well.IANS