The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has officially unveiled its seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. After extensive discussions among senior alliance leaders in New Delhi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) will each contest 101 seats.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has been allotted 29 constituencies. Meanwhile, smaller allies, the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) led by Upendra Kushwaha, and the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (HAM) led by Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, will each field candidates in six seats.
Following the announcement, JD(U) working president Sanjay Jha expressed confidence on social media platform X, stating that the agreement was reached in a ‘cordial atmosphere.’ He emphasized the unity among NDA partners and their collective resolve to ensure Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s return to power with a significant majority. BJP election in-charge Vinod Tawde echoed these sentiments, highlighting the mutual consensus and commitment to forming an NDA government in Bihar once again. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also welcomed the decision, reiterating the alliance’s harmonious approach.
This arrangement marks a significant shift, as it’s the first time since 2005 that the JD(U) and BJP will contest an equal number of seats. Historically, Nitish Kumar’s party has typically contested more constituencies. For example, in 2010, the JD(U) ran in 141 seats compared to the BJP’s 102. The 2015 elections saw the JD(U) in alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). In the last 2020 Assembly election, JD(U) contested 115 seats, BJP 110, HAM 7, and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) 11, while Paswan’s party contested independently across 135 constituencies.
Despite initially demanding 15 to 20 seats, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM was allocated six, one fewer than in 2020. The constituencies for HAM are reportedly Tikari, Atri, Imamganj, Barachatti, Kutumba, and Sikandra. Similarly, Upendra Kushwaha’s RLM is understood to have secured Sasaram, Dinara, Ujiarpur, Mahua, Bajpatti, and Madhubani. While initially expressing satisfaction, Manjhi later voiced dissatisfaction to a news agency, feeling his party was ‘undervalued’ and warning of potential ‘repercussions’ within the NDA.
Opposition parties quickly reacted to the development. RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmad claimed the BJP had ‘surrendered to Chirag Paswan,’ while JD(U), Kushwaha, and Manjhi had been ‘betrayed.’ Independent Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan, also known as Pappu Yadav, criticized the move on X, suggesting that Sanjay Jha’s ‘mission to force Nitish Kumar ji to vacate the CM’s chair’ was now complete.
The seat-sharing discussions for the opposition’s INDIA bloc are still ongoing, with the deadline for filing nominations for the first phase of polling set for October 17.