Patna: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has announced its seat-sharing arrangement for the Bihar Assembly elections, setting the stage for a complex electoral battle. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (United) (JDU) will each contest 101 seats, while the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram) (LJP-R) led by Chirag Paswan will field candidates in 29 constituencies. Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) have been allotted six seats each, prompting dissatisfaction among both leaders.
The arrangement marks a departure from previous elections, with the JDU relinquishing its traditional “elder brother” role within the alliance. Both the JDU and BJP now contest an equal number of seats, reflecting a shift in power dynamics. Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal described the arrangement as a demonstration of unity, saying, “We, the five Pandavas, will fight the Bihar Assembly elections in complete unity. We have announced the seat-sharing first and will announce the candidates this evening.”
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary echoed this sentiment, stating that discussions were ongoing to finalise candidate lists.
Smaller Allies Express Discontent
Despite initial acceptance, Jitan Ram Manjhi later expressed dissatisfaction with his party’s allocation. “By giving us only six seats, they have underestimated our importance. This could impact the NDA,” he said, signalling potential friction within the alliance.
Similarly, Upendra Kushwaha acknowledged disappointment among his supporters but urged patience. Posting on X, he wrote that the number of seats “did not meet your expectations” but asked followers to understand the constraints behind the decision, adding, “Time will tell whether the decision was right or wrong.”
Seat-Sharing Reflects Lok Sabha Performance
The NDA’s formula is based on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP, which contested 17 seats then, has been allocated 101 assembly seats, three fewer than proportional to its Lok Sabha tally. The JDU, contesting 16 Lok Sabha seats, has been allotted 101 assembly seats, four more than expected. The arrangement reflects a compromise, leaving both parties on equal footing.
Chirag Paswan emerged as a significant negotiator in the deal, securing both the preferred number and choice of seats for his party. Analysts note that his position within the NDA as the alliance’s most prominent Dalit leader has been solidified. “Chirag Paswan has emerged as the NDA’s Dalit face in Bihar.”
In contrast, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s influence appears diminished. Though he sought at least 15 seats, the NDA restricted him to six, reflecting the party’s recognition of his limited statewide influence. Many of his candidates are close family members, and he remains a central figure only in Gaya.
Upendra Kushwaha’s RLM, historically the weakest NDA ally, also faces challenges. Despite limited electoral success, the alliance considered his inclusion crucial, given the Kushwaha community’s influence in Magadh and Shahabad regions. Kushwaha’s party was allocated six seats, short of his initial demand of ten, maintaining his presence without upsetting broader alliance calculations.
JDU’s Decline and BJP’s Equal Standing
The seat-sharing arrangement highlights the long-term decline of the JDU’s dominance. Once contesting 138 seats in 2005, the party will now fight 101—a reduction of nearly 29% over 15 years. The BJP, by contrast, maintains parity with the JDU for the first time, underscoring its rising influence in the state.
With the NDA’s internal negotiations complete, attention now turns to the announcement of individual candidates and the broader electoral strategy ahead of the assembly polls.
