Patna: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Sunday announced its seat-sharing formula for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, setting the stage for one of the most closely contested polls in recent years.
Under the agreement, the BJP and JD(U) will contest 101 seats each, while Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has been allotted 29 seats. Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) will field candidates on six seats each.
The announcement effectively ends the long-standing tradition of the JD(U) playing the “elder brother” in Bihar politics. For the first time since 2005, both major NDA partners will contest on equal footing, signaling the BJP’s growing dominance in the alliance.
BJP, JD(U) on Equal Footing
Confirming the development, Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal said after returning from Delhi, “The NDA has announced the seat-sharing arrangements. We, the five Pandavas, will fight this election with unity. The list of candidates will be released this evening.”
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary added that discussions on candidate names were in the final stages and “clarity will emerge soon.”
Both parties have emphasized unity within the NDA, but internal murmurs from smaller allies suggest discontent over their reduced share.
Discontent Among Smaller Allies
Shortly after the announcement, Jitan Ram Manjhi, who had demanded 40 seats, said, “The decision taken by the high command is acceptable, but giving us only six seats underestimates our importance. This could impact the NDA.”
Upendra Kushwaha, expressing similar frustration, wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“I apologize to everyone. The number of seats allotted was not what we expected. Thousands of our supporters and workers are upset. Some circumstances are visible, others are not. Time will tell whether the decision was right or wrong.”
Despite their public discontent, both leaders confirmed they will remain with the NDA for the upcoming polls.
Seat-Sharing Formula Mirrors Lok Sabha Pattern
The NDA’s seat-sharing formula is largely based on the 2024 Lok Sabha election arrangement.
- The BJP, which contested 17 Lok Sabha seats, has now received 104 Assembly equivalents, settling for 101.
- The JD(U), which contested 16 Lok Sabha seats, gets 97 Assembly equivalents, and has been given 101 — four more than the proportional figure.
- This balanced formula ensures neither party is seen as dominant.
Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas), which contested five Lok Sabha seats, has secured 29 Assembly seats this time, marking a major gain for the young Dalit leader.
JD(U)’s Seat Share Drops 29% in 15 Years
The JD(U)’s share has declined steadily over the years. From 138 seats in 2005 and a peak of 141 in 2010, Nitish Kumar’s party will now contest 101 seats, a 29% drop in 15 years.
The BJP, on the other hand, retains its 2005 tally of 101 seats, showing organizational consistency and expanding influence within the NDA.
Chirag Paswan Emerges as Key Bargainer
Among NDA partners, Chirag Paswan has emerged as the biggest gainer. His persistent negotiations paid off — he not only secured his preferred constituencies but also the seat count he wanted.
Senior political analyst Arun Kumar Pandey said, “Chirag Paswan has positioned himself as the NDA’s most prominent Dalit face. With a 19% Dalit population in Bihar and Chirag’s consistent 6% vote share, his importance in NDA politics has grown significantly.”
In 2020, Chirag’s solo contest had damaged the JD(U)’s prospects, costing Nitish Kumar over 30 seats. This time, the BJP ensured his return to the alliance, balancing its caste arithmetic.
Manjhi’s Political Weight Shrinks
Former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi’s bargaining power appears to have weakened. Despite demanding 15–20 seats, he was allotted only six.
Senior journalist Sanjay Singh observed, “Manjhi’s influence is largely confined to Gaya. Most of his candidates are family members. By retaining him, the NDA has ensured Dalit unity in the region, even though his political relevance has reduced.”
Upendra Kushwaha Struggles to Retain Relevance
The Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), led by Upendra Kushwaha, was allotted six seats despite having no MLA in the Assembly for a decade.
Analysts believe the NDA retained Kushwaha mainly to consolidate Kushwaha voters (approx. 4.2% of Bihar’s electorate), who play a decisive role in the Magadh and Shahabad regions.
“Kushwaha’s presence gives the NDA a caste balance,” said Sanjay Singh. “His reduced share is symbolic but politically significant for the alliance’s optics.”
Analysts: BJP Establishes Equal Status with JD(U)
Political observers say this arrangement signals a new power equation within the NDA.
Senior journalist Arun Kumar Pandey commented, “For the first time, the BJP has achieved equal status with the JD(U) in Bihar. While the Lok Sabha numbers made BJP the senior partner, this parity in the Assembly elections reflects its growing dominance in state politics.”
Summary
- BJP: 101 seats
- JD(U): 101 seats
- LJP (Ram Vilas): 29 seats
- HAM: 6 seats
- RLM: 6 seats
