Bihar Polls 2025: NDA Seat-Sharing Talks To Conclude After Dussehra, Says Jitan Ram Manjhi

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has not yet settled on a seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, according to Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. Manjhi, who leads the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), mentioned that more clarity is expected Dussehra, celebrated on October 2. This delay comes amid ongoing discussions among NDA leaders.

NDA's Seat-Sharing Challenges

Reports suggest that the NDA faces challenges in finalising the seat-sharing arrangement. The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), led by Chirag Paswan, is demanding 40 seats. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has offered only 25 constituencies. The LJP continues to hint at its desire to contest more seats, adding complexity to negotiations.

In the previous 2020 assembly elections, the BJP and Janata Dal-United (JD-U) agreed on a 121:122 seat-sharing formula. From its share of 121 seats, the BJP allocated 11 to Mukesh Sahani's Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP). This time, VIP is part of the Mahagathbandhan alliance. Meanwhile, JD-U gave seven seats to HAM from its quota.

Manjhi's Concerns and Clarifications

Jitan Ram Manjhi recently expressed feeling "humiliated" due to HAM's lack of "recognised party" status even after a decade since its inception. This sparked speculation that HAM might seek more seats in the upcoming elections. However, Manjhi clarified his remarks, stating he was "begging and not making a claim" for a respectable number of seats from the NDA.

"Please do not take my words in the wrong light. I consider it a blot (kalank) that even after 10 years of establishment, HAM remains an unrecognised party. I have been helping the NDA for long. So, I am begging the NDA leaders (bheekh maang rahe hain) and not making a claim," Manjhi had said.

Previous Election Dynamics

In the last assembly elections, JD-U contested on 115 seats after allocating seven to HAM from its share. The undivided LJP fielded candidates in 137 constituencies, primarily against JD-U candidates. These dynamics highlight past complexities in seat distribution among alliance partners.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Home Minister are expected to visit Bihar soon. Their visit aims to facilitate discussions among NDA leaders regarding seat-sharing arrangements post-Dussehra. This visit may provide further insights into how parties will navigate these negotiations.

The ongoing discussions within NDA reflect broader challenges in coalition politics as parties strive to balance individual ambitions with collective goals ahead of crucial state elections.