NDA Finalizes Bihar Seat-Sharing Deal, Chirag Paswan Gets 26 Seats

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has finalized its seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, ending weeks of intense negotiations between Delhi and Patna. BJP's Bihar election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan and general secretary Vinod Tawde spearheaded the talks, shuttling between the capitals to iron out differences with key allies, paving the way for a united front against the opposition Mahagathbandhan.

The deal, sealed after marathon sessions, allocates a whopping 26 seats to Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) or LJP(RV) chief Chirag Paswan, making it the largest share among the smaller allies. Paswan, a rising star in Bihar's Dalit politics and a vocal Modi loyalist, had been pushing hard for a substantial slice to bolster his party's influence in the Seemanchal and Paschim Champaran regions. Union Minister Nityanand Rai played a pivotal role in clinching the pact, meeting Paswan twice—once late Thursday and again Friday morning at his Delhi residence. Emerging upbeat, Paswan hinted at harmony within the fold, while LJP(RV) national media in-charge Dhirendra Kumar Munna praised the BJP's leadership for honoring their long-standing commitment since 2014. "PM Modi has always ensured our party's respect and honor," Munna told Economic Times, though he coyly avoided specifics on the tally.

With Paswan's deal locked in, the BJP swiftly turned to other partners. Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) or HAM(S) leader and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, a key Mahadalit vote consolidator, has been allotted eight seats, focusing on strongholds in Gaya and Jehanabad districts where his community holds sway. Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) president Upendra Kushwaha, representing the Koeri-Kurmi vote bank, secured seven seats, primarily in central Bihar's Vaishali and Samastipur areas. Sources within the BJP confirmed the allocations were resolved "amicably," reflecting the alliance's strategy to balance caste equations in the 243-seat assembly.

Also Read: Chirag Paswan Scales Down Seat Demand; BJP Offers Only 26 Seats

The lion's share goes to the big two: BJP and Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, are each slated to contest around 100 seats, totaling roughly 200 for the core duo. This leaves the remaining 43 for the junior partners, a formula designed to maximize NDA's strike rate while accommodating allies' demands. The agreement underscores Nitish's stabilizing influence post his dramatic 2024 flip to the NDA, and Paswan's rehabilitation after being sidelined in 2020.

An official announcement is expected in Patna on Saturday, with state NDA leaders unveiling the full breakdown to kickstart the campaign blitz. BJP has summoned its Bihar unit to Delhi for a core group huddle on candidate picks, followed by a Central Election Committee meeting on Sunday to greenlight nominees for the first phase. The NDA aims to roll out its inaugural candidate list by Monday, signaling an aggressive push amid rising anti-incumbency against the ruling coalition.

This pact comes at a crucial juncture, with polls just weeks away and the opposition RJD-INDIA bloc eyeing a comeback on youth unemployment and migration woes. Analysts see the deal as a masterstroke for NDA unity, potentially neutralizing caste faultlines that plagued past elections. "It's a win-win: Paswan gets numbers to expand, while BJP retains control," quipped a senior party strategist. As Bihar braces for a polarized battle, the seat-sharing blueprint sets the stage for a fierce contest that could reshape the state's power dynamics for the next five years.

Also Read: Manjhi Quotes Dinkar, Seeks 15 Seats to Keep NDA United