By Snehil Singh | Oct 13, 2025, 06:06 PM
**NDA Finalizes Seat-Sharing Arrangement for Bihar Elections**
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Sunday finalized its seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Bihar elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) will contest an equal number of 101 seats each. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), led by Chirag Paswan, will contest 29 seats. Meanwhile, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), headed by Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha will fight on six seats each.
### Power Dynamics: JD(U) and BJP to Contest Equal Number of Seats
This is the first time since their alliance began in 1996 that the JD(U) and BJP are contesting an equal number of seats. This development signifies a major shift in seat-sharing, as the JD(U) has traditionally contested more seats whenever the two parties allied.
In the 2020 Bihar elections, the JD(U) contested 115 seats compared to BJP’s 101. However, the JD(U) had a lower conversion rate, winning only 43 seats against BJP’s 74.
### Strategy Shift: Seat-Sharing Pact Reflects BJP’s Growing Dominance in Bihar
Media reports suggest that the current seat-sharing pact indicates a larger power realignment in Bihar politics. The BJP’s national machinery and electoral strategy have started overshadowing Nitish Kumar’s regional clout.
Despite not having a strong local leader or “bankable face,” the BJP has leveraged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity to expand its influence in the state. The Lok Janshakti Party’s (LJP) strong performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections also increased its bargaining power. Chirag Paswan reportedly threatened to contest all 243 seats if his demands were not met.
### Seat Reduction: HAM and RLM’s Seat Share
Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) has been allocated six seats, one less than its share in 2020. Manjhi’s influence remains largely limited to the Gaya region, and this reduced seat share is believed to be an appeasement gesture towards the LJP.
Meanwhile, Rashtriya Lok Morcha’s leader Upendra Kushwaha was reportedly promised a Union ministerial position as part of the NDA’s bargaining strategy.
### Opposition Delay: Mahagathbandhan Yet to Finalize Seat-Sharing Arrangement
On the other hand, the opposition Mahagathbandhan has yet to announce its seat-sharing arrangement for the two-phase Bihar election scheduled for November 6 and 11. The delay is reportedly due to differences between the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
The announcement regarding the opposition’s seat sharing is expected to happen on Monday. Rahul Gandhi is likely to meet RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Vikassheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahani to finalize the arrangements.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/analyzing-nda-bihar-seat-sharing-parity-for-bjp-jd-u-ljp-rv-s-gain/story
