As Bihar gears up for the 2025 Assembly Elections, both the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) are struggling to finalize their seat-sharing arrangements. What was expected to be a show of unity has now turned into a political tug-of-war, with smaller allies expressing resentment and bigger partners showing little flexibility.
🔸 Dissent Erupts Within the NDA
The NDA on Monday announced its seat-sharing formula — BJP and JD(U) will contest 101 seats each out of Bihar’s 243 constituencies, while the remaining 41 seats have been distributed among the smaller allies. Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas) has been allotted 29 seats, while Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM (S) and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) have been given just six seats each.
However, the smaller allies are far from happy. Manjhi expressed open displeasure, saying, “Our party had demanded at least 15 seats, but we have been given only six. This is not justice to our workers’ efforts.” Kushwaha also hinted at dissatisfaction, claiming his party’s ground strength has not been fairly recognized.
Sources say Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is not completely pleased either. Several of JD(U)’s traditional strongholds have reportedly been given to Chirag Paswan’s LJP, causing unease within the party. The NDA’s planned joint press conference was even postponed amid the discontent.
Meanwhile, Om Prakash Rajbhar of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), an NDA ally from Uttar Pradesh, has also threatened to contest independently on several seats if he is not given a “respectable” share.
🔸 Mahagathbandhan Faces Internal Rift
The RJD-Congress-Left alliance is facing a similar deadlock. The Congress has demanded 65 seats, while the RJD is offering only 55. Despite several rounds of talks in Delhi between Tejashwi Yadav and Congress leaders, no consensus has been reached.
In a surprising move, Lalu Prasad Yadav reportedly began distributing tickets to RJD loyalists even before the seat-sharing deal was finalized. Tejashwi intervened and stopped the process, fearing it could damage ongoing talks with the Congress.
Left parties (CPI, CPI-M, CPI-ML) have also warned that they deserve a proportional number of seats based on their previous performance, adding another layer of complication for the alliance.
🔸 Both Alliances Under Pressure as Deadline Nears
The deadline for filing nominations for the first phase is October 17, leaving both alliances with very little time to iron out differences.
Political analysts say if these rifts continue, both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan could face setbacks during the crucial early campaign phase.
The NDA must pacify its smaller allies to project unity, while the Mahagathbandhan needs to finalize a common strategy before time runs out. With each party fighting for political relevance, Bihar’s 2025 election battle is turning into a complex power game — one where internal equations may prove as decisive as voter sentiment itself.
