Bihar Polls: NDA Finalizes Seat-Sharing, AIMIM Releases 32-Candidate List, Mahagathbandhan Talks Continue

NDA Seat-Sharing Deal: Chirag Paswan Gets Boost

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar has finalized its seat-sharing arrangement, with notable gains for Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Rashtriya) [LJP(R)]. Initially offered 26 seats by the BJP, Chirag’s party ultimately secured 29 seats after negotiations, with the BJP reportedly conceding some of its own sitting seats to accommodate the demands.

Other NDA allies received allocations consistent with their political strength. The Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLM) secured six seats, while Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) also accepted six seats, down from the 15 they had requested. Manjhi affirmed his support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed satisfaction with the high command’s decision: “If we were given only one seat in Parliament, were we upset? Similarly, we accept six seats as decided by the high command,” he said.

JD(U) national working president Sanjay Jha highlighted the amicable nature of the negotiations on social media: “We NDA colleagues have completed the distribution of seats in a cordial atmosphere… Leaders and worker comrades of all NDA parties welcome this with joy and are resolved and united to make CM Nitish Kumar the Chief Minister again with a massive majority.”

Chirag Paswan and RLM leader Upendra Kushwaha also confirmed the deal on social media, emphasizing the spirit of cooperation among NDA allies.

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AIMIM Enters Bihar, Hints at Third Front

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has announced its first list of 32 candidates for the Bihar elections, signaling an intention to form a third front. Bihar chief Akhtarul Iman confirmed that the party will contest in multiple constituencies, including Kishanganj, Purnea, Katihar, Araria, Gaya, Motihari, Nawada, Jamui, Bhagalpur, Siwan, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Vaishali, and Gopalganj.

The move is expected to alter traditional vote dynamics, particularly in Muslim-dominated areas, and could impact both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan alliances.

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Mahagathbandhan Seat-Sharing Still in Talks

The opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) has yet to finalize its seat-sharing deal, with discussions reportedly ongoing between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress. RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav and party patriarch Lalu Prasad are currently in the national capital, with sources indicating a leadership meeting is scheduled for Monday.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh acknowledged the delay: “We have to adjust some new partners in the Mahagathbandhan and include them in the seat-sharing. In the next two-three days, we expect all the seats to be finalized and declared.”

While the exact allocation for Congress is still under negotiation, Ramesh indicated the party may contest “anything between half a century and a century” of the 243 assembly seats. In the previous Bihar elections, Congress contested 70 seats and won 19, while RJD contested 144 and secured 75 seats.