The intricate seat-sharing puzzle for the Bihar NDA has been successfully solved, with the BJP and JDU accommodating the needs of their smaller partners. Key allies Chirag Paswan’s LJP-RV and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM have reportedly agreed to their respective seat allocations, paving the way for a unified campaign ahead of the crucial Bihar elections slated for November 6 and 11.
Reports suggest Chirag Paswan’s LJP-RV will contest 26 seats. This comes after the party had initially lobbied for 35 seats, based on their performance and influence in the 2020 state elections where they contested 135 seats and impacted the JDU’s results. The final agreement marks a compromise from their initial demands.
Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM, which was reportedly seeking around 15 seats, is set to contest eight seats, a slight increase from the previous election. Upendra Kushwaha’s RLJP is also expected to be a significant player, likely securing seven seats. This brings the total confirmed seats for the NDA’s allies to 41. The remaining 202 seats from the 243-seat Bihar assembly will be divided between the BJP and the JDU, with each expected to contest around 100-101 seats.
Discussions are ongoing in Delhi among BJP leadership to formally ratify the agreement and outline the next steps. A senior Bihar BJP leader highlighted the alliance’s commitment to establishing a government focused on effective administration and ethical politics.
The Bihar political landscape is gearing up for a significant contest between the NDA, featuring the BJP and JDU, and the INDIA bloc, led by Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD. The INDIA alliance also includes the Congress, CPI-ML, CPI, CPM, and VIP. Adding to the complexity, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj has expressed its intent to contest all seats. The outcome of this electoral showdown will be revealed on November 14, the designated date for vote counting.