NDA Locks Seats for Bihar Polls: JDU 101, BJP 100, Chirag Paswan’s LJP Settles for 26 – Countdown to November 6 Voting Begins

Patna: In a crucial development ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has reportedly finalised its seat-sharing arrangement for 240 of the 243 constituencies. Talks are still ongoing between Janata Dal United (JDU), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) over the remaining three seats.

While no official announcement has been made, insiders suggest that the formal declaration is expected on Saturday.

According to India TV sources, the proposed seat distribution is:

JDU: 101 seats

BJP: 100 seats

LJP (Ram Vilas): 26 seats

Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM): 7 seats

Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM): 6 seats

Reports indicate some tensions in negotiations. LJP, led by Union Minister Chirag Paswan, reportedly demanded 40–50 seats but has settled for around 26, while HAM, led by Jitan Ram Manjhi, asked for 15 seats but received only 7. These adjustments reflect the delicate balancing act within the NDA coalition.

The Election Commission of India has scheduled the Bihar Assembly polls in two phases, on November 6 and November 11, with counting on November 14. Political analysts say the state’s volatile electoral landscape, marked by shifting alliances and internal frictions, will play a decisive role in the outcome.

Currently, the NDA holds 131 seats in Bihar: BJP 80, JDU 45, HAM 4, and 2 Independents, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan controls 111 seats, including RJD 77, Congress 19, CPI-ML 11, CPI-M 2, and CPI 2. In the 2020 elections, RJD emerged as the largest party with 75 seats, closely followed by BJP’s 74, setting the stage for another high-stakes contest.