Patna, Oct. 13 — In a significant political development ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) have agreed to contest an equal number of seats — 101 each — breaking away from their long-standing “big brother–small brother” arrangement within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The elections will be held in two phases
on November 6 and 11, marking a new phase of parity and coordination between the two major NDA partners. The BJP has described the new arrangement as a “practice in parity”, rejecting suggestions that it resulted from pressure politics. Party leaders say the seat-sharing deal reflects a “balanced and logical distribution” among all allies.
“This agreement challenges the traditional ‘big brother–small brother’ dynamic and establishes true equality between the BJP and JD(U),” a senior BJP leader said. “The seat distribution among other NDA partners is also logical and reflects consensus rather than compulsion.”
LJP Joins Full NDA Fold
For the first time, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) led by Chirag Paswan will contest as part of the complete NDA, fielding candidates in 29 constituencies. This marks a departure from the party’s previous electoral approach.
In the 2020 elections, the LJP broke away from the NDA and contested independently on 135 seats, while in 2015, it contested 42 seats when the JD(U) was not part of the alliance. Back in 2010, it contested 75 seats in partnership with the opposition RJD.
“This time, mutual understanding has clearly prevailed over pressure politics,” a BJP insider remarked.
HAM and RLM Retain Their Place in the NDA
The Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) led by Jitan Ram Manjhi, who recently stirred speculation about internal discontent through cryptic social media posts, has been allotted six assembly seats, down from seven in the previous election.
However, BJP sources emphasize that Manjhi’s stature within the alliance has grown considerably.
“He now commands greater representation — one Lok Sabha MP, one Union minister, and six assembly seats — which reflects his increased importance in the NDA,” a senior BJP leader said.
Similarly, Upendra Kushwaha of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) has been allotted six seats. Party insiders suggest that Kushwaha, currently a Rajya Sabha MP, could be considered for a Union ministerial position in the near future.
All NDA partners have publicly welcomed the seat-sharing formula, describing it as a “fair and friendly arrangement.” The overall tone within the ruling alliance contrasts sharply with the uncertainty prevailing in the opposition camp.
Opposition Yet to Finalise Seat-Sharing
The opposition INDIA bloc is yet to finalise its seat-sharing agreement in Bihar. Tensions persist between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav reportedly insisting that the Congress contest no more than 54 seats, while pushing for an official declaration naming Tejashwi Yadav as the alliance’s chief ministerial candidate.
As the ruling NDA projects unity and balance, the Bihar elections are shaping up to be a crucial test of both political discipline and coalition strategy in one of India’s most politically significant states.
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