As Bihar prepares for assembly elections, sources indicate the BJP and Janata Dal (United) are negotiating to contest approximately equal numbers of seats, dividing 205 of the 243 constituencies between the two major NDA partners, with some scenarios allowing slight variations.
Seat Distribution Among Allies in Bihar Polls
The remaining 38 seats are expected to be allocated among smaller NDA partners. Reports suggest the BJP has offered 25 seats to Lok Janshakti Party chief Chirag Paswan, seven seats to Hindustani Awam Morcha leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, and six seats to Rashtriya Lok Samata Party’s Upendra Kushwaha.
Negotiations with Paswan continue, with the LJP leader seeking preferred constituencies for party candidates. Sources indicate that if Paswan’s allocation increases, it may reduce shares for Manjhi and Kushwaha.
The BJP may compensate smaller allies with Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council seat offers if their assembly allocations decrease.
Election Schedule
The Election Commission announced Monday that Bihar’s 2025 assembly elections will occur in two phases: November 6 and November 11, with results declared November 14. The current assembly’s term expires November 22.
Over 7.4 crore voters, including approximately 14 lakh first-time voters, are eligible to participate. Phase 1 covers 121 constituencies in central Bihar, including rural and flood-prone areas, while Phase 2 encompasses 122 constituencies, primarily in border regions.
Political Landscape
The ruling NDA, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JDU and supported by the BJP, seeks to retain power. The opposition Mahagathbandhan—comprising RJD, Congress, and Left parties—aims to challenge the alliance.
The Aam Aadmi Party will contest all 243 seats, marking its Bihar political debut.
Key Electoral Factors
Several elements are shaping campaign strategies: the 33 percent Extremely Backward Classes vote, traditionally supporting NDA but now targeted by opposition parties; rising female voter turnout; and improved infrastructure in north Bihar, which influenced the phase-wise election schedule design.
Strategic Significance
The seat-sharing arrangement reflects coalition management challenges within NDA, balancing major partners’ demands while accommodating smaller allies’ aspirations.
The equal division between BJP and JDU suggests continued political equilibrium within the alliance, crucial for maintaining coalition cohesion through the campaign period.
