The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar has reached a consensus on seat distribution for the upcoming assembly elections, resolving a major point of contention among its coalition members. The BJP and JDU have reportedly acceded to the seat-sharing demands of key allies, including Chirag Paswan’s LJP-RV and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM, ensuring a cohesive front for the polls on November 6 and 11.
Sources close to the negotiations reveal that Chirag Paswan’s LJP-RV has been allocated 26 seats. This agreement follows an initial demand for 35 seats, a figure derived from the party’s independent performance in the 2020 elections where it contested a substantial number of constituencies and influenced results. The final settlement represents a strategic compromise.
Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM is slated to contest eight seats, reportedly one more than they did previously, after initially seeking 15 seats. Upendra Kushwaha’s RLJP is also expected to participate, with indications pointing to seven seats for their party. These allocations account for 41 seats distributed among the NDA’s smaller partners. The remaining 202 seats will be contested by the BJP and JDU, with each of the major coalition partners likely to field candidates in approximately 100-101 constituencies out of the total 243 assembly seats.
Senior BJP officials are currently in Delhi to finalize the agreement and make a formal announcement. The Bihar Deputy Chief Minister reiterated the alliance’s objective to form a government that prioritizes good governance and integrity.
The upcoming Bihar elections are set to be a direct contest between the NDA, comprising the BJP and JDU, and the INDIA bloc, led by Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD. The INDIA alliance’s constituents include the Congress, CPI-ML, CPI, CPM, and VIP. Notably, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj has also announced its intention to contest all 243 seats. The results will be declared on November 14.
