Patna: Bihar’s political landscape stands at a crucial and confused juncture. Five days into the nomination process for the Assembly elections, neither the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nor the Opposition Grand Alliance has finalized its seat-sharing arrangement, fueling widespread internal dissension and a feeling of uncertainty across both camps.
The ‘Mission 2025’ election has turned into a high-stakes test of coordination, particularly within the NDA, where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is reportedly furious over not being given the definitive role of the ‘elder brother’ in the alliance. His displeasure has translated into aggressive moves on the ground, challenging the allocation of seats to his allies.
#WATCH | Patna | On #BiharElection2025, JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha says, “… Nitish Kumar is absolutely happy. He will campaign for the NDA. He is talking to the senior leaders of the NDA. All five parties of the NDA are united, and by this evening, we will also announce the list… pic.twitter.com/TiqdHtyCpU
— ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2025
Nitish Reasserts Dominance, Allies Cry Foul
Reports suggest that the JD(U) leader is unilaterally asserting his authority, effectively playing the ‘elder brother’ role by ensuring the JD(U) reaches the 103-seat mark in its effective tally.
In a direct challenge to the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), led by Chirag Paswan, the JD(U) has awarded its own party symbol to candidates for at least two seats previously expected to go to the LJP (RV):
- Sonbarsa: JD(U) symbol given to Bihar government minister Ratnesh Sada, who is now preparing to file his nomination.
- Gaighat: The JD(U) ticket was handed to Komal Singh, daughter of LJP (RV) MP Veena Devi, cementing the seat for the Chief Minister’s party.
Furthermore, the controversy surrounding the Dinara seat has led to serious internal backlash. The seat was allocated to Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha instead of the JD(U) candidate, former minister Jai Kumar Singh, prompting several angry JD(U) workers in Rohtas district to resign in protest.
Manjhi’s Anger and The Nalanda ‘Red Line’
Adding to the NDA’s woes, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi is also reportedly unhappy with the emerging formula. His party workers and leaders have taken to social media with the defiant slogan, “Let there be no confusion, the tiger is still alive,” signaling their discontent and refusal to be sidelined in the negotiations.
माना की हमें कम सीटें मिली हैं,हमारे कार्यकर्ताओं का मनोबल कमजोर हुआ है,कार्यकर्ताओ में घोर असंतोष व्याप्त है जिसकी क्षतिपूर्ति भविष्य में होगी इसका आश्वासन ही मैं कार्यकर्ताओं को दे पा रहा हूं।
पर इसका मतलब यह नहीं कि बिहार को जंगलराज की ओर धकेल दें।
बिहार के अवाम की रातों की…— Jitan Ram Manjhi (@jitanrmanjhi) October 14, 2025
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has drawn a firm “red line” around his home district. Despite reports suggesting that the Rajgir seat, currently held by JD(U) MLA Kaushal Kishore, was allocated to the LJP (RV), JD(U) sources confirm that Nitish Kumar has made it emphatically clear: all seats in Nalanda district will be contested by Janata Dal (United) candidates.
Grand Alliance Stumbles on The ‘Major Knot’
The opposition Grand Alliance is also grappling with a “major knot” in its internal coordination. The uncertainty was amplified by the recent return of RJD leaders Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Prasad Yadav to Patna without concluding a crucial meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. This failure to achieve a top-level sign-off has cast a shadow over the alliance’s ability to present a unified front.
With nominations underway and a joint press conference within the NDA yet to materialize, both alliances are struggling to control their narratives amidst the frenzy of high expectations and growing party-level resistance to the delayed seat-sharing pacts.
