Bihar Assembly Polls: NDA Finalises Seat-Sharing Framework, JDU May Get Edge Over BJP

GG News Bureau
Patna, 7th June: With the Bihar Assembly elections expected later this year, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has accelerated its preparations and is close to finalising its seat-sharing formula. Sources indicate that the alliance partners may adopt the same formula used during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

According to initial calculations, the Janata Dal (United) [JDU] is likely to contest on 102–103 seats — slightly more than the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which may field candidates on 101–102 seats. The remaining 40 of the total 243 seats are expected to be distributed among smaller alliance partners, namely the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM).

During the 2024 general elections, BJP contested 17 seats, JDU 16, LJP 5, and both HAM (led by Jitan Ram Manjhi) and RLM (led by Upendra Kushwaha) contested one seat each. Riding on that model, the NDA is now attempting a similar distribution for the assembly polls.

Sources say the LJP, which holds five Lok Sabha seats, may be allocated 25–28 assembly constituencies. HAM could get 6–7 seats, and RLM might be given 4–5 seats. The strategy appears to focus on maintaining a fine balance between major and minor allies, keeping in view regional and caste dynamics.

However, alliance insiders clarified that the seat-sharing formula is still in the preliminary stage. A formal announcement is expected after an official meeting of NDA leaders in the coming weeks.

All eyes are now on the NDA’s cohesion and collective electoral strategy as it prepares to take on the opposition in what is expected to be a high-stakes contest.