With the Bihar assembly elections approaching, political activity has intensified. The focus is now on seat-sharing negotiations within the NDA, with discussions set to begin during the Navratri festival. Smaller parties within the alliance are actively seeking a larger share of the seats, leading to public pronouncements. The goal is to strike a balance and reach an agreement among all parties.
Official seat distribution will be announced after the Election Commission unveils the election schedule. JD(U) leader KC Tyagi confirmed that seat-sharing discussions are ongoing within the NDA during Navratri and that an announcement is expected soon.
Leaders from the smaller NDA allies, including Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Upendra Kushwaha, are vying for as many seats as possible from the total 243 in Bihar. They’ve been vocal in their demands. The smaller parties are putting pressure for increased seat allocations, as they believe that any further delay, compounded by the proximity of the elections, could force them to accept fewer seats from the larger partners due to time constraints. This is the driving factor behind their public statements requesting a greater share.
The decision to hold discussions during Navratri is based on the aim to reduce anxieties among the smaller parties regarding seat allocation. However, the larger constituents, BJP and JD(U), consider that earlier finalization of seat distribution might spark internal disputes within the alliance regarding seat allocation, alongside increased risks of candidate defections at the last moment. Therefore, waiting closer to the election date is a strategy to reduce these risks.
Sources indicate that the seat-sharing arrangement among NDA allies is likely to be finalized by late September or early October. When addressing demands for more seats from LJP, HAM, and RLM, JD(U) leader KC Tyagi stated that smaller parties issue such statements to boost their workers’ morale and increase participation. He believes that all parties must make such statements to appease their workers and enhance their participation. He expressed confidence that these parties will be properly accommodated within the NDA.
Seat distribution within the NDA is expected to align with the results of the previous assembly elections, with adjustments needed to accommodate Chirag Paswan. The announcement is expected soon after the official notification for the Bihar assembly elections.
The BJP and JD(U) have both agreed to compete in over 100 seats each. With five parties in the alliance this time, after the BJP and JD(U) have each distributed around a hundred seats, the remaining three parties will be allocated the remaining forty or so seats.