- By Raju Kumar
- Wed, 15 Oct 2025 03:19 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bihar Elections 2025: Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief Upendra Kushwaha on Wednesday met Home Minister Amit Shah amid a tussle over seat-sharing for the Bihar assembly elections, scheduled to be held in two phases - November 6 and 11. The meeting was seen as an attempt to resolve the ongoing stalemate over the seat-sharing.
After the 45-minute meeting, Kushwaha's tone softened. While a few hours earlier he had been saying that nothing was well within the NDA, after meeting Shah, he declared that everything was fine within the NDA. He had discussed the points of contention with the leaders.
However, he avoided the question of what solution had been reached in the negotiations regarding the Dinara and Mahua seats, saying, "Everything will be discussed in the press conference."
The RLM chief, after the meeting with Shah, said there were some issues in the alliance which were discussed at the meeting, adding he was hopeful that his concerns would be addressed. "The NDA will retain power in Bihar. There will be no difficulties ahead," he said.
What Was Deal Between The BJP and The RLM
NDTV, quoting sources, said Shah offered him a replacement seat for the Mahua seat. There was speculation that Kushwa also offered a term in the Rajya Sabha and an MLC seat. However, the official statement from Kushwaha is awaited.
Why Dispute Over Mahua Seat?
Kushwaha is said to be upset over the Mahua seat in Vaishali district, as he intended to field his son. But, the seat, reportedly went into the kitty of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). Kushwaha discussed the Mahua seat with Shah.
Earlier, Kushwaha, along with Union Minister Nityanand Rai, reached Delhi airport on Wednesday morning. "There are some issues in the alliance that need to be dissolved. We have come here to meet the Union Home Minister, and I am hopeful that every issue will be resolved," he said ahead of meeting Shah.
According to party insiders, Kushwaha is not happy with the six seats allotted to his party. He is also not happy with the allocation of the Mahua seat to another NDA constituent, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), headed by Union Minister Chirag Paswan. Efforts to convince Kushwaha by senior BJP leaders in Patna failed to make any headway.
Union Minister Nityanand Rai and other state BJP leaders met Kushwaha here on Tuesday evening. The meeting continued till late at night, after which Kushwaha told reporters, "This time, nothing is well in NDA. NDA leaders had on Tuesday claimed that seat allocation among alliance partners had been settled amicably and that discussions were in the final stages. However, discontent among smaller allies surfaced soon after.
According to the agreed formula, the BJP and JD(U) will contest 101 seats each, LJP (Ram Vilas) 29 seats, while Hindustani Awami Morcha (HAM) and RLM will field candidates in six constituencies each. Both HAM, led by Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, and RLM have voiced displeasure over the arrangement.
(With agencies inputs)