Bihar, a state renowned for its dynamic political landscape, is gearing up for its Assembly elections, set to unfold in two phases on November 6 and 11. These elections will see a fierce contest across 243 constituencies, with neither of the major alliances having yet declared a chief ministerial candidate. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is once again poised against the opposition Mahagathbandhan, with results slated for November 14.
A significant development for the NDA is its recently finalized seat-sharing agreement. For the first time since 2005, the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will each contest an equal share of 101 seats. This marks a notable shift towards parity within the alliance, as JD(U), led by Nitish Kumar, historically fielded more candidates than the BJP.
Beyond the primary partners, other NDA allies have also secured their allocations. The Chirag Paswan-led LJP(RV) will contest 29 seats. Meanwhile, both the Upendra Kushwaha-led Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) and former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) have been allotted six seats each.
To put this in perspective, the 2020 Assembly elections saw a different distribution: JD(U) contested 115 seats, BJP 110, HAM(S) seven, and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) contested 11 seats as part of the NDA. Interestingly, Chirag Paswan’s party chose to go solo in 2020, fielding candidates in 135 constituencies. For the 2025 elections, VIP has now aligned with the Mahagathbandhan, indicating further shifts in alliances.
This new seat arrangement highlights a strategic recalibration within the NDA, moving towards a more balanced distribution of electoral responsibilities between its two largest constituents, the JD(U) and BJP.
Breakdown of NDA Seat Sharing (2025 vs. 2020)
| NDA Allies | 2025 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| JD(U) | 101 | 115 |
| BJP | 101 | 110 |
| LJP(RV) | 29 | – |
| RLM | 6 | – |
| HAM(S) | 6 | 7 |
| VIP | With Mahagathbandhan | 11 |