Patna: The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has signalled it will not settle for fewer than 43 seats in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, despite reports that the NDA has quietly finalised its seat-sharing plan.
Party MP from Jamui and principal general secretary, Arun Bharti, made the demand in a post on X, saying a “respectable figure” for LJP(R) should fall between 43 and 135 seats — a range reflecting its past contests. In 2015, the party fought 43 seats, and in 2020 it fielded candidates in 137 constituencies.
“This will be a historic election for us,” Bharti wrote, noting that since its founding in 2000, the LJP has never contested a Bihar assembly poll in alliance with JD(U). “Under the leadership of Chirag Paswan ji, the party has grown steadily.”
The post comes amid speculation that the NDA has already reached a consensus, with Janata Dal (United) expected to contest 102 seats, the BJP 101, LJP(R) 20, and smaller allies Hindustan Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha 10 each.
While no official announcement has been made, a joint press conference by the NDA is anticipated shortly. The insistence by LJP(R) on a larger share is likely to test the fragile balance within the alliance as the state heads into a high-stakes election year.
