As the Bihar Assembly elections loom, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan has scaled down his ambitious demand from 40 to 35 seats in negotiations with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a key partner in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, the BJP has countered with an offer of only 26 seats, sweetening the deal with promises of one MLC position and a Rajya Sabha seat in the future, according to party sources. This tug-of-war over seat-sharing has sparked tensions within the NDA, with potential cracks threatening the coalition’s unity ahead of the high-stakes polls.

Chirag, emboldened by LJP (RV)’s clean sweep of five Lok Sabha seats—Hajipur, Jamui, Vaishali, Khagaria, and Samastipur—in 2024, is pushing for at least two assembly seats per Lok Sabha constituency. His wish list includes key constituencies like Govindganj, Matihani, and Sikandara, currently held by BJP, Janata Dal (United), and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), respectively, leading to a deadlock.

Notably, Chirag is adamant about fielding State President Raju Tiwari in Govindganj and party leader Hulas Pandey in Brahmpur, a seat the BJP wants for its own Santosh Rai, currently held by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

The LJP (RV)’s demand list also covers Mahnar and Mahua in Hajipur, Morwa in Samastipur, Alauli in Khagaria, Bhagalpur Sadar, Bakhtiyarpur, Fatuha, Atri, Obra, Sheikhpura, Arwal, and Jehanabad. “We’re focusing on winnable seats where we’ve proven our strength,” an LJP (RV) source said, citing their 2020 victory in Matihani before their MLA defected to JD(U). The party argues its electoral track record justifies a larger share, especially in constituencies where it outperformed despite contesting independently.

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Meanwhile, the BJP and JD(U) are expected to contest at least 100 seats each, leaving smaller allies like Rashtriya Lok Morcha, led by Upendra Kushwaha, to settle for fewer than 10 seats. Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM (Secular) remains firm on securing 15 seats, threatening to sit out the polls if its demands aren’t met.

With the NDA’s internal jostling intensifying, Chirag’s bargaining power stems from his party’s recent electoral success, but the BJP’s firm cap at 26 seats signals a tough road ahead. As negotiations continue, the outcome will shape the NDA’s strategy to counter a resurgent RJD-led opposition in Bihar’s fiercely competitive political landscape.

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