NDA’s Seat-Sharing Masterstroke: Paswan Praises Allies, Foresees INDIA’s Defeat Amid Infighting

In a show of unity and optimism, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief and Union Minister Chirag Paswan expressed profound gratitude to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) for their magnanimity in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Paswan, whose party secured 29 seats despite lacking representation in the outgoing assembly, hailed the gesture as a "big heart" extended to smaller allies, underscoring the coalition's collaborative spirit.

The announcement comes amid strategic discussions in Patna, where Paswan met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to refine tactics for pivotal constituencies. The 243-seat Bihar Legislative Assembly will face polls in two phases on November 6 and 11, with vote counting scheduled for November 14. Under the NDA pact, BJP and JD(U) each claim 101 seats, while allies Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) under Upendra Kushwaha and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) led by Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi receive six seats apiece. Paswan emphasized that LJP (RV)'s allocation prioritized strongholds, not sheer numbers, fostering a balanced front.

"We were not fighting for a particular number of seats as such. We only wanted to contest from those places where we had a strong presence. I am thankful to the BJP and the JD(U). Both have shown a big heart in the NDA seat-sharing arrangement," the Hajipur MP told reporters. He projected unbridled confidence in the NDA's prospects, declaring, "The NDA is all set for a historic victory under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

Also Read: Female-Majority Seats Give NDA Advantage as Bihar Election Approaches

Paswan seized the opportunity to deride the opposition INDIA bloc, accusing it of debilitating internal strife. Referencing recent murmurs within the Mahagathbandhan, he questioned the viability of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav's potential chief ministerial bid. "Who says Tejashwi Yadav's name (as CM candidate) is confirmed when even the alliance is not saying that Tejashwi is confirmed? The people will not accept them. An alliance which has so many internal clashes cannot develop Bihar," he asserted. His remarks echoed earlier calls from Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi for clarity on Yadav's candidacy, highlighting perceived disarray between RJD, Congress, and Left parties, where candidates risk overlapping contests.

Paswan warned that such discord undermines governance, stating, "A coalition plagued by internal clashes cannot deliver development." This narrative positions the NDA as a cohesive alternative, poised to capitalize on Bihar's electorate's desire for stability and progress.As campaigning intensifies, the seat-sharing deal reinforces NDA's solidarity, potentially reshaping Bihar's political landscape. With Nitish Kumar at the helm as Chief Minister, the alliance eyes reclaiming dominance in a state long marked by electoral volatility.

Also Read: Athawale Predicts Mahagathbandhan Split, Sees NDA Advantage in Bihar Polls