BJP always follows coalition dharma: Bihar’s BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav

New Delhi: Bihar’s BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav, while reacting to the recent exit of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) from NDA, said his party has always followed the coalition dharma. The statement comes at a time when NDA is yet to finalise a seat-sharing agreement in poll-bound Bihar and amid LJP threat to field candidates against JDU.

“We always follow coalition dharma. There are other political reasons and explanations for every party. But I can say that we go the extra mile to accommodate our partners,” Yadav told ET.

SAD is the second oldest ally of BJP after Shiv Sena to quit NDA. In the aftermath of the SAD moving away, BJP’s challenge would be to accommodate its partners — JDU and LJP — in Bihar amid their growing expectations.


“Talks are happening with the alliance partners and we shall announce it at the right time,” Yadav, who is also BJP incharge for Bihar, told ET.

“In the past, we have been large-hearted in accommodating our alliance partners by sacrificing our seats and have tried to take along everyone, no matter what their numbers in Parliament or in assembly.”

In the 2014 Lok Sabha, BJP had won 22 of the 40 seats in Bihar. However, to accommodate JDU, the party sacrificed five seats and both the parties had contested 17 seats each in the 2019 elections.

On LJP’s future in NDA, Yadav said: “As I said, BJP will try to follow the coalition dharma as far as possible.” He didn’t make any direct comment but his statement indicated that every party in the alliance should be willing to sacrifice, if needed.