NDA Finalises Seat-Sharing for Bihar Elections
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Sunday announced its seat-sharing framework for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle in the 243-member House. In a move that signals a recalibration of political weight within the ruling coalition, the BJP and Janata Dal (United) will each contest 101 seats, while the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) led by Union Minister Chirag Paswan will field candidates on 29 seats.
Key Allocations and Players
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who oversees Bihar for the BJP’s electoral campaign, announced the final arrangement on the social platform X. The allocation places the BJP and JD(U) on equal footing for the first time in this phase of Bihar politics, each contesting 101 out of 243 seats. The consolidation reflects a balance of power within the NDA after years of navigating alliances with smaller partners.
The LJP (Ram Vilas) will field candidates on 29 seats. This grouping, led by Chirag Paswan, has been a significant bargaining chip in Bihar politics, often representing a middle ground among NDA allies. Additionally, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), under Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha will contest six seats apiece, rounding out the NDA’s immediate competitive slate in the state capital’s electoral arena.
Context: A Rebalanced Coalition
This seat-sharing arrangement marks a notable shift from the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, when the JD(U) contested 115 seats and the BJP 110, with LJP having run independently. The current division — BJP 101, JD(U) 101, LJP 29, HAM(S) 6, and RLM 6 — signals a recalibration of influence within the ruling coalition, with the JD(U) and BJP sharing parity in seat counts for the first time in this cycle.
Pradhan described the negotiations as cordial and said all NDA partners were satisfied with the outcome. He added that Bihar is ready for “another NDA government,” projecting confidence about the coalition’s electoral prospects. Leaders and workers from NDA parties reportedly welcomed the pact with enthusiasm as campaign preparations accelerate.
Opposition Mabrahthan: Mahagathbandhan in Play
On the opposition front, the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Bihar is moving toward finalising its own seat-sharing in the coming days. Talks between the RJD and Congress are ongoing, with leaders expected to meet in New Delhi as Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav engage with national leaders. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh indicated that the party may adjust seats to accommodate new partners, underscoring the delicate arithmetic of Bihar politics ahead of the two-phase elections scheduled for November 6 and 11.
Ramesh suggested that the Congress could contest a range between roughly fifty and a hundred seats, a signal of ongoing negotiation with potential allies. The previous assembly elections saw the Congress contest 70 seats and win 19, while the RJD led by Tejashwi Yadav had contested 144 seats and secured 75. As the two sides hammer out seats and policy priorities, the Mahagathbandhan expects to unveil its joint manifesto in the near term, adding another layer to the state’s political spectacle.
What This Means for Voters
For Bihar’s electorate, the NDA’s parity between the BJP and JD(U) suggests a redefined power-sharing model that could influence governance priorities and campaign messaging. The dispersion of seats among smaller allies like HAM(S) and RLM also indicates a broader effort to appeal to diverse regional and caste-based constituencies. Voter attention is now turning to candidate lists, local issues, development promises, and the parties’ ability to translate alliance rhetoric into on-ground impact.
Looking Ahead
With the two-phase election dates fixed for November, party workers are mobilising at the grassroots level. The NDA’s announced seat distribution sets the stage for a fierce contest across urban and rural constituencies alike. As campaigns intensify, observers will watch how the final manifestos and ground-level campaigns resonate with Bihar’s voters ahead of polling day.
