PATNA: HAM (S) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi on Thursday said that talks on seat-sharing in the Grand Alliance would be held at the UPA meeting scheduled in New Delhi on December 20.“I was informed about the meeting by AICC national spokesperson and in charge of the party’s Bihar unit Shaktisinh Gohil. A coordination committee for finalising the seat-sharing arrangement with all allies of the Grand alliance will be formed soon. After the meeting, I will also meet RJD supremo Lalu Prasad to discuss the seat-sharing issue,” said Manjhi.Addressing mediapersons at his residence here, the HAM (S) chief said, his views on seat-sharing has been portrayed incorrectly by several sections of media. “I always said that my party is ready to contest on 20 Lok Sabha seats. If we get an opportunity to contest on these seats, we can perform well,” he said.“The NDA government was defeated in assembly elections as it only harps on dividing the country into castes and religions by highlighting issues like ‘mandir-masjid’ and cow vigilantism. While, our party talks about development issues,” said Manjhi.Manjhi also lauded RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha for severing ties with the NDA government and advised him to take his stand on joining the Grand Alliance.Defending his son Santosh Manjhi, head of HAM (S) parliamentary board, Manjhi said he is qualified to hold this post. He was reacting to a query on making a comparison of his son with LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan’s son Chirag Paswan, who is also the chairman of LJP parliamentary board.

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