The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar has confirmed its seat-sharing strategy for the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for November. On Sunday, both Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) decided to contest 101 seats each in the 243-member assembly, while smaller allies will compete for the remaining 41 seats.
The smaller parties within the alliance have also received substantial allocations. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), led by Union Minister Chirag Paswan, has been assigned 29 constituencies. Meanwhile, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), under Jitan Ram Manjhi, and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha of Upendra Kushwaha will contest six seats each.
This revised arrangement marks a significant change in Bihar’s electoral landscape. Notably, it is the first instance since 2005 that JD(U) will not field more candidates than BJP, highlighting a shift in political power dynamics as BJP strengthens its foothold in Bihar and JD(U)’s influence wanes.
BJP’s Bihar election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan expressed optimism regarding the coalition, stating that all decisions were made “in a cordial manner.” He added, “Bihar is ready for another NDA government,” reinforcing the alliance’s confidence heading into the polls.
Voices from other coalition leaders also resonated with this sentiment. Paswan, Kushwaha, and JD(U) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha reaffirmed the unity among allies, describing the discussions as amicable and unanimous. This collective stance showcases a consolidated front as they approach the electoral battle.
Despite earlier speculations of dissatisfaction regarding seat allocations, Jitan Ram Manjhi responded positively to the agreement, stating, “We are satisfied with what we have received… I will stay with Prime Minister Narendra Modi till my last breath.” His commitment reflects the determination among allies to maintain party unity against opposing forces.
Analyzing the previous legislature’s performance offers further context for this coalition strategy. In the 2020 assembly polls, JD(U) contested 115 seats while BJP had 110, with HAM fielding seven. The results revealed a strain in their relations as JD(U) managed only 43 wins, whereas BJP secured 74 seats, creating friction that nearly led to Nitish Kumar’s withdrawal from the NDA.
This time, the politic dynamics within Bihar’s electoral arena present a new challenge for both the NDA and opposition parties. With the Bihar Assembly elections set to unfold in two phases on November 6 and 11, communities eagerly anticipate how this revised seat-sharing arrangement will influence the election outcomes. Counting will take place on November 14.
As these crucial developments emerge, Bihar’s political landscape remains highly charged, with the NDA optimizing its strategy to retain power amid a changing political environment.
