New Delhi, October 26: Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar is in the national capital today and expected to meet BJP President Amit Shah to finalise the seat sharing arrangement with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said media reports. The JD(U) is already part of the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Nitish Kumar Pitches New Deal For 2019 Lok Sabha Elections: 16 Seats in Bihar For JD(U), 17 For BJP.

A report by India Today cited JD(U) sources that the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will be in Delhi for two days. Prashant Kishore, who was recently appointed as the vice president of the JD(U) by Nitish Kumar, is already in Delhi in order to prepare for the meeting. Nitish Kumar will also be visiting AIIMS for a health-checkup during his stay in Delhi. Nitish Kumar, BJP Not on Same Page? Bihar CM Skips Event on NDA's First Anniversary in State.

Seat sharing in Bihar has become a bit of a bother for the ruling BJP and the JD(U). Recents reports have been suggesting that the BJP and JD(U) will settle for equal seat sharing formula. While both the BJP and the JD(U) are believed to settle for 17 seats each, the Ram Vilas Paswan led Lok JanShakti Party (LJP) and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) by Upendra Kushwaha are expected to settle for the remaining seats.

What makes matters difficult for the NDA allies in Bihar is the fact that the partners have clearly articulated that any arrangement giving them fewer seats than what they contested on in the previous general elections in the year 2014, will not be accepted. Even Nitish Kumar has time and again stated to his party workers that the alliance with BJP is based on the basis of equal respect for the JD(U) and that his party will not compromise on the issue of "self-respect".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 26, 2018 01:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).