In a major political development ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has officially announced its seat-sharing formula.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) will contest 101 seats each in the 243-member Assembly, as confirmed by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has been allotted 29 seats, while the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) will contest six seats each.
The announcement follows intense negotiations, particularly with HAM leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, who initially demanded 15 seats but later agreed to the revised offer after discussions with BJP leaders in Delhi. Sources suggest HAM may also be considered for one MLC seat in the future.
Pradhan emphasised the unity within the NDA, stating that the seat-sharing was finalised in a “cordial atmosphere” and that the alliance is poised to form the government again in Bihar.
Meanwhile, the opposition INDIA bloc has denied any internal discord and promised to reveal its seat-sharing arrangement soon. A viral image of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Congress’s Akhilesh Prasad Singh chatting on a flight has fueled speculation about ongoing coordination within the alliance.
As Bihar braces for a two-phase election, the NDA’s strategic alignment signals a tightly contested political battle ahead.
