Overview of the Bihar NDA Seat-Sharing Deal
The Bihar NDA alliance has formally announced its seat-sharing formula for the upcoming assembly elections on November 6 and 11. Under the agreement, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) will each contest 101 seats. The remaining 29 seats go to Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Rashtriya) or LJP(RV), while Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) led by Jitan Ram Manjhi and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) led by Upendra Kushwaha will secure six seats apiece.
Breakdown of the Seat Formula
The 243-seat Bihar Legislative Assembly requires careful allocation to balance regional strengths and caste dynamics. The alliance leaders confirmed the split after daylong discussions and a flurry of messages on social media signaling unity among NDA partners. The distribution is as follows:
– BJP: 101 seats
– JD(U): 101 seats
– LJP(RV) (Chirag Paswan): 29 seats
– HAM(S) (Jitan Ram Manjhi): 6 seats
– RLM (Upendra Kushwaha): 6 seats
In this arrangement, HAM(S) currently holds sitting seats in Imamganj, Tekari, Sikandra, Barachatti, Atri, and Kutumba. Kushwaha’s six seats are slated for Obra, Sasaram, Madhubani, Bajpatti, Narkatiya, and Dumraon, with potential adjustments that were discussed but ultimately not accepted by the BJP.
Political Implications and Reactions
Sources indicate that Kushwaha had sought more seats in Siwan, Saran, Ujiyarpur, and Goh, reflecting his base in central and eastern Bihar. The BJP, however, did not concede additional seats outside the agreed six for Kushwaha, highlighting strategic prioritization of certain constituencies.
JD(U) national executive president Sanjay Kumar Jha and BJP leader and deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary publicly announced the formula on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing unity across NDA partners. The posts underscored a shared message: “Bihar is ready. #NDA government again.”
Statements from Key Leaders
Jitan Ram Manjhi, while signaling disappointment over seat numbers, reiterated allegiance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the alliance will work toward a Bihar-supportive government led by Modi and Nitish Kumar. He asserted on X that he would stand with Modi “till my last breath” and expressed confidence in a favorable outcome for Bihar.
Manjhi’s stance reflects a broader dynamics within the NDA, where regional leaders balance ambitions with the broader goal of defeating opposition forces in a polarized electoral landscape.
What This Means for Voters
For voters, the distribution signals a continuation of the NDA’s approach to governance with a focus on regional representation within a national-led coalition. With BJP and JD(U) holding the largest slate of seats, the NDA’s governance agenda is likely to emphasize infrastructure, social welfare, and security initiatives while leveraging regional leadership in HAM(S) and RLM to broaden canvas across the state.
Next Steps Ahead of the Elections
As campaigning intensifies ahead of the November polls, all NDA partners will engage in public outreach to consolidate support in their allotted constituencies. The party units will roll out their local manifestos and development promises, aiming to translate the seat-sharing balance into electoral wins across diverse electorates.
