Patna,(BiharTimes): The Janata Dal (United) has decided not to field any sitting MLA of the party to contest 2014 Lok Sabha elections in Bihar. This would be a significant departure from the 2009 election, when several legislators were fielded. Jagdish Sharma, Monazir Hasan etc were prominent among them.

However, if the sitting legislators means sitting ministers too then the decision may mar the prospect of leaders like Ramai Ram, who has once openly expressed his feeling to contest from Hajipur Lok Sabha seat on the party ticket. There is a talk in the party that Ram Sundar Das may be replaced because of his old age and poor health.

According to the state JD(U) chief Bashistha Narain Singh the party has already started the process of selecting candidates by holding consultation with district units. He expects that the final list of candidates would be released in March.

By disclosing that the JD(U) would contest all 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, he in a way, put to rest all speculations about any alliance with the Congress, Aam Admi Party or any Left party.

However, he added that talks with like-minded parties for alliance may be initiated by party president Sharad Yadav and chief minister Nitish Kumar, though no partner has been decided yet.

He said the BJP is the main political rival in the election and his party would focus on communalism being propagated by the saffron party.

If the JD(U) decides to contest all 40 seats––as is repeatedly being stated by several leaders––and does not allow MLAs to contest the Lok Sabha election then the party is likely to bring in several new faces.

But observers are of the view that it would be risky for the party to field political greenhorns when it would be pitted against former friend and now the main rival, the BJP, and strong RJD-led alliance.