NDA Finalises Seat-Sharing for Bihar Assembly Elections 2025

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has concluded its seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal-United (JD-U) each set to contest 101 seats in the 243-member state assembly, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Sunday.

The decision marks a significant shift, as it is the first time JD(U) will contest an equal number of seats as the BJP, unlike in previous elections.

Under the agreement, Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will field candidates in 29 constituencies, while the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) have been allocated six seats each. Sources indicate that HAM will contest in Tekari, Kutumba, Atari, Imamganj, Sikandra, and Barachatti, with official confirmation expected on Monday. The RLM is likely to compete in Ujiarpur, Madhubani, Sasaram, Dinara, Mahua, and Bajpatti.

Pradhan, who played a key role in securing the BJP’s third consecutive victory in Haryana and is overseeing the Bihar polls, hailed the agreement as a product of harmonious discussions among NDA allies. In a post on X, he stated, “The NDA has finalised the seat distribution in a spirit of unity. Leaders and workers of all NDA parties warmly welcome this decision. Bihar is ready to form an NDA government once again.”

The announcement follows intense negotiations, particularly involving HAM, led by Union Minister and former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, and the RLM, both of which had initially considered contesting independently. HAM had demanded at least 15 seats but was initially offered only seven or eight.

After deliberations with senior BJP leaders in Delhi, Manjhi agreed to the allocation of six seats, with the possibility of one MLC seat in the future. Manjhi, who had earlier hinted at opting out of the elections if not given a “respectable number” of seats, returned to Patna after the deal was sealed, signalling the alliance’s cohesion.

In contrast to the 2020 elections, where JD(U) contested 115 seats and BJP 110, with Paswan’s party competing separately, this year’s equal distribution between BJP and JD(U) reflects a rebalancing of power within the NDA.

Meanwhile, the opposition INDIA bloc dismissed rumours of internal discord and announced that its seat-sharing details would be revealed soon. RJD MLA Bhai Virendra told reporters, “Our arrangements have been finalised smoothly. We will share all details at a press conference tomorrow.” A viral photograph of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Congress leader Akhilesh Prasad Singh in conversation on a flight from Patna to Delhi has sparked speculation about ongoing coordination within the opposition.

The Election Commission has scheduled the Bihar Assembly elections in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14.