In a significant political development, Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Saturday, October 18, 2025, extended his sincere appreciation to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party. He lauded them for their “generous spirit” in accommodating smaller National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners, including his own Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), in the crucial seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Assembly elections.
Following a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has been actively involved in Bihar’s political landscape since Thursday, Paswan exuded confidence. He declared that the NDA is poised for “a historic victory” and sharply criticized the opposition INDIA bloc, pointing to what he described as their persistent internal conflicts and disarray.
Paswan clarified his party’s stance on negotiations: “We weren’t merely vying for a specific number of seats. Our primary objective was to contest from constituencies where our presence and influence were genuinely strong. I am truly grateful to both the BJP and the JD(U) for their magnanimity and foresight in shaping this NDA seat-sharing arrangement.” Notably, his Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), despite not holding a single MLA seat in the current Assembly, secured a substantial 29 seats in the alliance.
Details of Seat Allocation
The core allies, the BJP and JD(U), have each been allocated 101 seats. Meanwhile, other key partners such as the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), led by Upendra Kushwaha, and the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), under Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, will each contest six seats.
Further intensifying his attack on the opposition, Paswan castigated the INDIA bloc, locally known as the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in Bihar. He asserted, “There is rampant infighting among the Opposition alliance partners, creating a chaotic environment.”
He continued, “There remains no clear consensus on whether Tejashwi Yadav is indeed their designated leader. We anticipate a scenario where candidates from the RJD, Congress, and the Left will end up competing against each other. In stark contrast, the NDA is united and ready for a monumental victory under the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
The Bihar Assembly, comprising 243 members, is scheduled for elections in two phases: November 6 and November 11. The votes will be meticulously counted on November 14.