Patna: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar has reportedly reached a consensus on seat-sharing for the upcoming assembly elections, sources say, following Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s recent visit to Delhi.
According to insiders, the Janata Dal (United) will contest 102 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to field candidates in 101 constituencies. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will contest 20 seats, and smaller allies Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustan Awam Morcha and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha have been allotted 10 seats each.
No official announcement has been made so far, but a press conference from the alliance is expected soon. Sources indicate there could still be minor adjustments, with one or two seats potentially shifting between the JDU and BJP.
In the 2020 assembly elections, the BJP had contested 110 seats, winning 74, while the JDU had contested 115 seats and secured 43 victories. Analysts note that the current allocation suggests a more balanced approach, with JDU contesting slightly fewer seats than in 2020, while BJP has also reduced its share.
The arrangement contrasts with the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP contested 17 seats, JDU 16, LJP five, and HAM and RLM one seat each. Observers point out that while the BJP had contested more seats than the JDU in the national elections, the assembly contest may see the JDU contesting marginally more seats than its ally this time.
Political commentators describe CM Nitish Kumar’s role as the “elder brother” in the NDA, steering negotiations and ensuring cohesion among the alliance partners ahead of the state polls.
