• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Bihar NDA Seat-Sharing: With the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled in two phases on November 6 and 11, hectic parleys are underway within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to finalise its seat-sharing formula. The BJP and JD(U), the two principal partners, are learnt to be negotiating a near-equal distribution of the state’s 243 seats, with both likely to contest around 100–103 constituencies each.

The NDA alliance, however, faces a delicate balancing act as smaller allies push for a "respectable" share in the arrangement.

The BJP has been in active discussions with its partners, including Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM). BJP's Bihar polls in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan and organisational in-charge Vinod Tawde on Tuesday also met Chirag Paswan to discuss the seat-sharing formula.

ALSO READ: Bihar Assembly Elections 2025: Dynasty Politics At Play As Leaders Lobby For Sons And Grandsons

The BJP has reportedly offered around 18-20 seats to LJP, 7 to HAM, and 6 to RLM. However, the BJP's offer was snubbed by both Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi, who have demanded at least 40 and 15 seats, respectively.

Bihar NDA Seat-Sharing: What Jitan Ram Manjhi Is Demanding?

Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) patron Jitan Ram Manjhi on Wednesday invoked the Mahabharata while making a poetic appeal for a fair share of seats in the upcoming Bihar elections. Taking to X, the former Bihar Chief Minister quoted a verse, echoing Lord Krishna's plea for peace before the Kurukshetra war.

"Ho nyay agar to aadha do (if there is justice, give half of the share). Par usme bhi yadi badha ho, to de do keval 15 gram, rakho apni dharti tamam (if that’s not possible, give just 15 villages and keep the rest for yourself)," he wrote, adding, "HAM khushi se khaayenge, parijan pe asi na uthayenge," suggesting that his party would remain loyal to the NDA and not "take up arms against family."

The poetic post, seen as a message to the BJP and JD(U), indicates that Manjhi, though initially keen on contesting a larger number of seats, is now ready to settle for 15 constituencies to avoid a confrontation within the alliance.

"If we do not get 15 seats, we will not contest the elections. I feel insulted, and our people have been ignored. We have always supported the NDA; it is their duty to ensure we are respected. Fifteen seats will allow us to win 8–9, but if not, we may exercise our final option of leveraging our support across 60–70 constituencies to secure party recognition. I have no objection to Chirag, but please save us from humiliation," Manjhi said.

ALSO READ: 'Tejashwi May Be CM Face Of RJD': Congress Leader's Remark On INDIA Bloc's Bihar CM Pick Sparks Buzz

Manjhi’s HAM had earlier demanded around 40 seats. The party is said to be particularly interested in contesting from Sherghati and Atri constituencies in Gaya district, apart from retaining its existing strongholds -- Imamganj, Barachatti, Tikari, and Sikandara -- which it won in the 2020 elections.

Bihar NDA Seat-Sharing: The Paswan Dilemma

Jitan Ram Manjhi was not the only hurdle in the NDA seat-sharing talks. LJP Chief Chirag Paswan is also pushing the alliance for a "respectable" share in the seat distribution. While Chirag Paswan is reportedly demanding about 40 seats, reports suggest that both the BJP and the JD(U) are reluctant to part with such numbers.

During a meeting with BJP's Dharmendra Pradhan and Vinod Tawde, Paswan requested two assembly seats in each of the five Lok Sabha constituencies it had won in the 2024 general elections, apart from certain constituencies considered more favourable to his party's prospects.

Paswan pointed out that the last time it contested the assembly elections as part of the BJP-led NDA in 2015, it was given 43 seats to contest in the 243-member assembly. Currently, LJP (RV) has no sitting MLA in the Bihar assembly.

ALSO READ: Nitish Kumar: A Liability Or Asset For NDA In Bihar? Explained

Chirag Paswan, who emerged as a staunch supporter of PM Modi during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, posted an emotional message on X to send a message to NDA partners, hinting that his party will keep fighting for a larger share of seats and won't accept marginalisation within the NDA.

Remembering his late father and former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Chirag Paswan wrote, "Papa hamesha kaha karte the – Jurm karo mat, jurm saho mat. Jeena hai to marna seekho, kadam kadam par ladna seekho."

Bihar Election 2025 Dates:

The Election Commission on Monday announced the schedule for the Bihar Assembly elections. The 243 Assembly seats will go to the polls in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with counting of votes to be held on November 14.

ALSO READ: Bihar Assembly Election 2025 Schedule Announced: All Your FAQs Answered

The NDA will be up against the INDIA bloc, led by Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD, the Congress, the CPI (ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the CPI, the CPM, and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). This time, Bihar will also see the entry of a new player in the form of Prashant Kishor and his party Jan Suraaj.