Unhappy with UPA, Ram Vilas Paswan’s party set to merge with BJP

The party’s desire to join the NDA comes after his demand of 10 seats in Bihar’s RJD-Congress-LJP alliance evoked a lukewarm response from RJD chief Lalu Prasad. LJP leaders also believe a tie up with BJP could reap richer electoral harvest.

“We have decided to tie up with BJP… every thing has been finalized,” said LJP leader Surajbhan. Paswan’s son Chirag Paswan, however, said nothing was final.

After a poor show in the 2009 polls and in the 2010 assembly elections, this could be a do-or-die battle for Paswan. “He faces a difficult election and wants to be on the right side,” said a BJP leader.

Meanwhile, Dalit leader and former IRS officer Udit Raj is all set to join the BJP in Uttar Pradesh on Monday. BJP thinks there is a scope of making inroads into Mayawati’s vote -bank with a know n Dalit face, said a party leader.