The political landscape in Bihar is abuzz as the State BJP chief, Dilip Jaiswal, announced on Saturday, October 11, 2025, that the party’s central leadership will unveil significant decisions regarding seat-sharing arrangements with its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners and candidate selections for the upcoming Assembly polls. These vital announcements are scheduled for Sunday, October 12, 2025.
Speaking at a press conference in Patna, the senior BJP leader firmly dispelled any rumors of discontent or ‘rumblings’ within the NDA alliance in Bihar, reassuring the public that the coalition remains united.
“Everything is harmonious within the NDA,” Jaiswal stated. “The seat-sharing arrangements and the roster of candidates will soon be finalized by the party’s central leadership. Important declarations related to seat sharing and tickets will be made at 11 a.m. on Sunday, October 12.”
Earlier the same day, Upendra Kushwaha, the chief of NDA constituent Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), also addressed the circulating rumors of disagreement, clarifying that seat-sharing discussions were still in progress and not yet concluded. In a post on a popular social media platform, Kushwaha cautioned against paying heed to unverified reports. He expressed concern, stating, “Don’t pay attention to rumors floating around. The talks are not yet concluded. Wait…! I don’t know how the news is being circulated in the media. If someone is planting news, it’s deceit, it’s betrayal.”
Adding to the alliance’s internal dynamics, Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who leads the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), previously indicated that his party was ‘requesting’ – rather than ‘claiming’ – a respectable number of seats. Manjhi suggested that if HAM did not receive an adequate allocation, the party might opt not to contest the elections.
Another key ally, Union minister Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), initially settled for approximately 20-22 seats. However, reports suggest the party is now seeking at least 25 additional constituencies.
The Assembly elections in Bihar are set to take place on November 6 and 11, with the vote counting scheduled for November 14.
Manjhi elaborated on his party’s position: “It will be a humiliation for me and my party if we are not given at least 15 seats in the coming assembly polls. If we get 15, we can easily win at least 8-9 seats and will become a recognized party.” He highlighted that despite 10 years since its establishment, HAM remains an unrecognized political entity. “I have been supporting the NDA for a long time. So, I am requesting the NDA leaders and not making a claim. My party would prefer not to contest the polls if we don’t get a respectable number of seats.” He further clarified, “But I must make it clear that even if we don’t contest polls, our party will continue to work for the NDA partners in the coming polls.”
Sources within the NDA indicate that the larger partners, JD(U) and BJP, are expected to contest approximately 102 and 101 seats, respectively. Meanwhile, senior leaders within LJP (Ram Vilas) believe their party should secure at least 45 seats, according to an anonymous party leader, underscoring the ongoing negotiations and varied aspirations within the alliance ahead of the crucial announcement.