Bihar NDA Announces Seat-Sharing for the 2024 Assembly Elections
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar on Sunday released its seat-sharing formula for the upcoming assembly elections scheduled on November 6 and 11. The plan allocates 101 seats each to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), with Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) or LJP(RV) securing 29 seats. Hindustani Awam Morcha (S) led by Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) headed by former union minister Upendra Kushwaha are each allotted six seats.
The Bihar Legislative Assembly comprises 243 seats, making this distribution a critical element in determining the electoral arithmetic for the NDA. Local party sources indicate the allocation also reflects strategic choices on winnable seats, regional balances, and the desire to project a united front ahead of a high-stakes campaign.
Details of the Allocation
According to sources close to the negotiations, the NDA’s seat-sharing map is as follows: BJP and JD(U) will contest 101 seats each, LJP(RV) 29 seats, and HAM(S) and RLM six seats apiece. The distribution also notes that HAM(S) has retained four sitting seats—Imamganj, Tekari, Sikandra, and Barachatti—along with Atri and Kutumba, signaling a mix of incumbency advantage and regional reach. Kushwaha’s six seats will be drawn from Obra, Sasaram, Madhubani, Bajpatti, Narkatiya, Dumraon, and Mahua, underscoring his political footprint in these areas.
Political Reactions and Personal Statements
The consensus among NDA leaders appeared to emphasize unity. JD(U) national executive president Sanjay Kumar Jha, BJP’s Bihar vice president and deputy chief minister candidate Samrat Choudhary, Kushwaha, and LJP(RV) chief Chirag Paswan all posted a unified message on X, highlighting a cordial atmosphere and a determination to work together for a “NDA government again.” One shared sentiment was the message that Bihar is ready for another稳定 governance under Modi and Nitish Kumar.
Manjhi, despite not getting the seats he wanted, expressed his allegiance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reaffirmed his commitment to the coalition. In his social media post, he said he would stand with Modi “till my last breath” and predicted “there will be spring in Bihar, there will be Modi’s government with Nitish.” This rhetoric underscores the NDA’s effort to reassure voters about stability and continuity in leadership.
<h2What This Means for Bihar’s Electoral Play
The seat-sharing agreement signals several strategic imperatives for the NDA. First, it locks in a consolidated front that can counter any anti-incumbency sentiment and regional rivalries in key districts. Second, it attempts to balance leadership claims across the coalition by allotting multiple constituencies to Manjhi’s HAM(S) and Kushwaha’s RLM, both seen as important caste and regional vote banks in Bihar. Third, the allocation aims to maximize seat yield by pairing the strongest probable candidates in high-stakes seats with established local pockets of support for each affiliate.
What Voters Should Watch For
As the campaign unfolds, observers will be watching how the NDA leverages its unity against alternative political formations in Bihar. The emphasis will be on development promises, law-and-order narratives, and the management of caste and regional identities within the NDA fold. Voter expectations around agricultural distress, infrastructure, and public services will be framed against the NDA’s track record and its commitment to Narendra Modi’s national agenda combined with Nitish Kumar’s governance experience at the state level.
<h2Conclusion
The NDA’s seat-sharing formula for Bihar aims to present a cohesive electoral front while preserving space for regional voices within the coalition. With 101 seats each for BJP and JD(U), 29 for LJP(RV), and six seats apiece for HAM(S) and RLM, the plan seeks to consolidate diverse blocs under a shared banner ahead of the November polls. How this balance translates into votes on the ground and ultimately into seats will unfold as campaigning intensifies across the state.
