The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the ruling coalition in Bihar, has solidified its seat-sharing arrangement for the forthcoming Bihar assembly elections slated for November. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will each contest 101 seats out of the total 243-member assembly. The remaining 41 seats will be allocated to smaller coalition partners.
In the finalized agreement, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), led by Union Minister Chirag Paswan, will vie for 29 constituencies. The Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), under the leadership of Jitan Ram Manjhi, will contest six seats, matched by the Rashtriya Lok Morcha led by Upendra Kushwaha, also targeting six constituencies. This arrangement marks a significant change for the JD(U), which historically contested more seats than the BJP.
This election cycle is pivotal, as it marks the first time since 2005, when Nitish Kumar took the reins of the NDA, that the JD(U) will not lead in seat distribution. The BJP’s increased share signals its growing influence in Bihar’s political landscape.
Discussing the coalition’s dynamics, BJP Bihar poll in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan expressed satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “All partners reached the decision in a cordial manner. Bihar is prepared for another NDA government.” Echoing those sentiments, prominent leaders like Paswan, Kushwaha, and JD(U) spokesperson Sanjay Kumar Jha referred to the negotiations as amicable and unanimous, indicating a robust coalition framework moving forward.
Amid reports of initial discontent, Jitan Ram Manjhi publicly embraced the seat allocation, asserting, “We are satisfied with what we have received… I will stay with Prime Minister Narendra Modi till my last breath,” indicating loyalty and commitment to the alliance.
To provide context, during the 2020 assembly polls, the JD(U) contested 115 seats while the BJP fielded candidates in 110 seats and the HAM contested seven seats. The outcomes were decisive, with the JD(U) securing only 43 seats compared to the BJP’s 74. This disparity caused strain within the alliance, almost leading to Nitish Kumar’s departure from NDA during the term.
The Bihar Assembly elections are set to unfold in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with counting of votes scheduled for November 14. As strategic arrangements settle, the focus shifts to how each party campaigns, aiming for voter engagement across the state.
