Patna: Following the formalization of the seat-sharing agreement within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, attention has swiftly shifted to the critical task of finalizing candidate names. Union Minister Chirag Paswan’s party, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJP(RV)], which secured 29 seats in the final formula, is reportedly in the final stages of vetting its nominees.
However, the mood within the coalition appears strained. A joint NDA press conference scheduled for Monday was postponed at the eleventh hour. While no official reason was provided for the delay, political circles are buzzing with speculation that the postponement is linked to internal disagreements among the coalition partners over the seat distribution.
NDA Formula and LJP(RV) Strategy
The overall 243-seat formula sees the BJP and the JD(U) contesting 101 seats each. The remaining 41 seats were distributed among the smaller allies: LJP(RV) received 29 seats, while the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) were allotted 6 seats apiece.
Sources indicate that Chirag Paswan is employing a strategy focused on caste balance and injecting young faces into the electoral fray. Several high-profile candidates, including family members of influential local leaders, are on the nearly finalized list for the LJP(RV)’s constituencies:
| Constituency | Potential LJP(RV) Candidate | Note/Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Madhaura | Saif Ali Khan | Son of Ayub Khan |
| Brahmapur | Hulas Pandey | Brother of former MLA Sunil Pandey |
| Sahebpur Kamal | Surendra Vivek | – |
| Lalganj | Rama Singh or Shweta Singh | Rama Singh or his daughter |
| Morwa | Abhay Singh | – |
| Simri Bakhtiyarpur | Sanjay Singh | – |
| Rajapakad | Mrinal Paswan’s son | – |
| Gai Ghat | Komal | Daughter of MP Veena Devi |
| Danapur | Randhir Yadav | Son of Lalu Yadav’s brother-in-law Subhash Yadav |
| Fatuha | Abhimanyu Yadav | Son of Ramkripal Yadav |
| Bakhri | Sanjay Paswan | – |
| Arwal | Sunil Yadav | – |
| Makhdumpur | Rani Chaudhary | – |
| Agiaon | Jyoti Devi | – |
| Hayaghat | Shahnawaz Ahmed Kaifi | – |
| Rajgir | Parshuram Paswan | – |
| Hilsa | Kumari Deepika | Wife of Ranjit Don |
| Ekma | Kameshwar Singh alias Munna | – |
| Obra | Prakash Chandra | – |
| Gaya | Shyam Dev Paswan | – |
| Kadwa | Vibhuti Paswan | – |
| Balrampur | Sangeeta Kumari | – |
| Sonbarsa | Reena Paswan | – |
| Hisua | Dhirendra Munna | – |
| Kasba | Shankar Jha Baba | – |
| Sugauli | (Name pending) | – |
Discontent Among Junior Allies
The final formula has led to open expressions of dissatisfaction from other coalition partners. Sources close to RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha suggest he is unhappy with the allotted six seats, feeling his party was shortchanged in the distribution.
In contrast, HAM(S) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi has taken a more conciliatory public stance. While his party was also limited to six seats, Manjhi has unequivocally stated that he will remain with the NDA “under all circumstances,” effectively quelling any rumors of an immediate exit, despite possible internal disappointment.
