NDA Finalises Bihar Election Pact; BJP and JD(U) to Contest 101 Seats Each
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has finalised its seat-sharing formula for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. In a significant shift, both the BJP and the Janata Dal (United) will contest 101 seats each, marking the first time the JD(U) will not be the senior partner in the alliance. The deal allocates 29 seats to Chirag Paswan's LJP, with the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) receiving six seats each in the 243-member assembly.
Unpacked:
Historically, JD(U) had a larger share of seats, reflecting its dominant position and Nitish Kumar’s leadership in Bihar. The new arrangement, with BJP and JD(U) contesting an equal number of seats for the first time, signals a shift in power balance and may affect alliance dynamics and Nitish Kumar’s influence within the NDA.
Chirag Paswan’s LJP has a strong support base among the Paswan community, which constitutes nearly 6% of Bihar’s voters. Allocating 29 seats is part of the NDA’s strategy to consolidate Dalit votes and accommodate Paswan’s demands, as he was a tough negotiator during seat-sharing discussions.
Yes, there were reports of disagreements, particularly with Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM, which demanded more seats than allocated, and LJP seeking a larger share. However, NDA leaders, including the BJP, emphasized unity and resolved most issues through high-level meetings, though some discontent persisted among smaller allies.
In the previous assembly polls, JD(U) contested more seats (115) than BJP (110). Now, both contest 101 seats each, marking a rare parity. The number of seats for smaller allies like HAM and LJP has seen minor adjustments, but the overall formula closely mirrors the previous arrangement to maintain alliance cohesion.