The countdown to the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections is gathering pace as both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan step up preparations, with negotiations over seat-sharing emerging as a key battleground.
According to sources cited in a News18 report, the NDA, spearheaded by the BJP and Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], is likely to follow a near-even distribution of constituencies.
JD(U) is expected to contest around 103 seats, down from 115 in the 2020 elections, while the BJP may field candidates in approximately 102 constituencies, slightly below its previous 110.
Meanwhile, smaller allies are expected to receive allocations as well, with the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) projected to contest 20-25 seats, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) likely to get eight, and Upendra Kushwaha’s RLSP set to contest five to six seats.
JD(U) has reportedly left the task of negotiating with allies to the BJP leaders to avoid internal friction.
The BJP’s state election committee is scheduled to review ongoing talks, followed by a wider NDA meeting, while the party’s Central Election Committee (CEC) is expected to convene soon, paving the way for the release of its first candidate list.
On the opposition front, seat-sharing discussions within the Mahagathbandhan remain complex.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which contested 144 seats and won 75 in 2020, is seeking at least 134 constituencies this time. Congress, which had contested 70 seats earlier and won 19, is reportedly demanding 60-65 seats but may have to settle for around 55. The Left parties are pushing for 35 seats, up from 29 previously.
Smaller parties and new entrants are adding to the negotiation challenge.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is expected to be allotted two seats, while Pashupati Paras’s faction may also be accommodated. A major point of contention is Mukesh Sahani’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), which has shifted from the NDA to the opposition camp. VIP is reportedly asking for over 30 seats, the deputy chief minister’s post, and symbolic recognition as the “son of the Mallah (fisherman),” but the RJD is unlikely to concede such a large share, with an offer of 12–15 seats expected instead.
Parallely, Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM has announced four candidates in Seemanchal, indicating the possibility of triangular contests in some constituencies.
The Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with counting and results scheduled for November 14. These polls will be notably the first major exercise following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which has expanded the voter base to 7.43 crore, including 14 lakh first-time voters.
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