The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has officially declared its seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming elections to the 243-seat Bihar assembly. In a significant move, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) will each contest 101 seats. The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), led by Union minister Chirag Paswan, is set to field candidates in 29 constituencies. Additionally, Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) will each contest six seats.
Dharmendra Pradhan, Union minister and the BJP’s in-charge for the Bihar polls, confirmed that the seat distribution process was completed harmoniously among all NDA partners. He expressed confidence, stating, “Leaders and workers of all NDA parties welcome this with happiness. Bihar is ready for another NDA government.” The elections are scheduled for November 6 and 11, with the vote counting to be held on November 14.
Key Differences from the 2020 Seat-Sharing Formula
This latest agreement marks a considerable adjustment for the NDA partners, particularly for the JD(U). In the 2020 Bihar assembly elections, the JD(U) had contested 115 seats, but will now contest 101. Similarly, the BJP’s allocation has reduced from 110 seats in 2020 to 101.
For context, in the 2020 elections, the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) had contested 11 seats and HAM (S) had seven, while the LJP (undivided) participated in 135 seats. Looking further back, the BJP contested 160 seats in 2015, and the LJP contested 40.
This seat-sharing arrangement signifies a historic shift, as it is the first time the JD(U) will not be fielding candidates in more seats than the BJP in a Bihar assembly election, according to PTI reports.
Meanwhile, the opposition alliance, the Mahagathbandhan (comprising the RJD, Congress, and others), has yet to finalize and announce its seat-sharing formula.