Patna: The seat-sharing discussions within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar have entered a decisive phase, with major partners — Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) — holding separate high-level meetings in Patna today.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has convened a crucial meeting of senior JD(U) leaders at his official residence, 1 Anne Marg, to finalize the list of candidates. Meanwhile, Union Minister and LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan has called an emergency meeting of his party’s core team at the state office to discuss seat distribution and election preparedness.
According to sources, Chirag Paswan is demanding 35 or more assembly seats, while the BJP is willing to allot only around 20 seats to his party. The disagreement has created tension within the NDA ahead of the upcoming assembly polls.
Although Chirag has left for Delhi, he clarified before his departure that “the party’s election strategies will be discussed in the meeting” and that “final decisions will be taken after the Central Parliamentary Board meeting.” The emergency meeting at the LJP(R) office is being chaired by MP Arun Bharti.
JD(U) Focuses on Protecting Its Own Seats
The JD(U), meanwhile, is said to be firm on retaining several constituencies currently held by its sitting MLAs. Chirag Paswan’s party is reportedly eyeing seats like Mahnar, Matihani, and Chakai, which are presently represented by JD(U) legislators. Sources within the JD(U) assert that the party “will not give up its existing seats at any cost” but will continue to uphold the spirit of coalition politics.
HAM Chief Manjhi Expresses Discontent Through Poetry
In another development, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) founder and former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi has publicly voiced his displeasure over seat-sharing through a poetic post on X (formerly Twitter). Citing lines inspired by poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, Manjhi wrote:
“Ho nyaya agar to half do, agar rok ho to bas 15 gram de do…”
Interpreting his verse politically, sources say Manjhi is demanding 15 seats, while the BJP is prepared to concede only 8 to his party.
HAM Leader Announces Candidature Before Official Deal
Amid unresolved seat-sharing talks, HAM leader BK Singh has already declared that he will file his nomination from the Morwa Assembly constituency in Samastipur on October 13, claiming the backing of party national president Santosh Manjhi. Singh also made serious allegations against former JD(U) MLA Vidyasagar Singh Nishad, accusing him of amassing disproportionate assets.
BJP’s Balancing Act and Possible New Entrants
Efforts are reportedly underway by BJP leaders Dharmendra Pradhan, Vinod Tawde, and Mangal Pandey to bridge the gap between the allies. Chirag, who has sought seats in strongholds such as Vaishali, Hajipur, Samastipur, Khagaria, and Jamui, maintains that he is “not angry” and will take the “right decision at the right time.”
In another political twist, sources indicate that former MP Ajay Nishad, who joined Congress after being denied a BJP ticket earlier, is likely to return to the saffron party. Talks with senior BJP leaders are said to be at an advanced stage.
As the NDA partners deliberate, all eyes are on the outcome of today’s meetings, which could determine the alliance’s final seat-sharing formula and the list of candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
