NEW DELHI: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is edging closer to finalising seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. BJP leaders have been holding intensive discussions with alliance partners, including LJP(R) chief Chirag Paswan and HAM leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, to reach a consensus.
Union Minister of State Nityanand Rai visited Chirag Paswan’s residence in Delhi for the fourth time in two days, marking their third formal meeting. Late Thursday night, BJP’s Bihar election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan also visited Paswan’s home alongside Rai. Speaking to the media afterward, Rai said, “All is well,” while Paswan cautiously added, “We will inform soon.”
Reports suggest that Rohit Choudhary, brother of Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, may contest from Tarapur in Munger under a JDU ticket. Senior BJP leader and minority representative Syed Shahnawaz Hussain could contest from Kochadhaman in Kishanganj.
Other aspirants include former strongman Anant Singh, who plans to file his nomination from Mokama on October 14, while current Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav will file from Supaul, and MLA Ramvilas Kamat from Pipra. Anand Mohan’s sons, Chetan and Anshuman Anand, are also likely to contest from Sheohar and Nabinagar, respectively.
A high-level meeting of NDA leaders is underway at Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary’s residence. Senior JDU leaders, including state president Umesh Kushwaha, MPs Sanjay Jha, Lalan Singh, Vijay Choudhary, and Lalan Saraf, are present along with BJP’s Dharmendra Pradhan. Discussions focus on finalising seat allocations and candidate nominations.
Earlier, Bihar BJP in-charge Vinod Tawde and national secretary Rituraj Sinha met Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal chief Upendra Kushwaha to discuss finalising the NDA seat-sharing arrangement. Sources indicate the talks are in their final stage.
Chirag Paswan confirmed that seat-sharing discussions with the BJP are progressing positively and have reached the final stage, with details on seats, candidates, and campaign strategies soon to be finalised. Nityanand Rai described the talks as “positive,” and JDU leader Neeraj Kumar added, “All five constituent parties are united in their resolve: ‘Nitish again in 2025.’ No one is upset, and a healthy, friendly contest is expected.”
Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party will reportedly accept 25-26 seats – instead of the 40 it had demanded – and concessions on other issues, including executing the ‘Bihar first, Bihari first’ agenda and ‘due respect’ at all levels of the government. No formal statement has been made by either side so far, according to NDTV.
Sources suggest that the NDA may release its first list of candidates by October 12-13, following these final discussions. Meanwhile, JDU has decided to contest 105 seats, with six sitting MLAs likely to be denied tickets, prompting two of them to join the RJD. The party is waiting for clarity on alliance negotiations with LJP(R), HAM, and Upendra Kushwaha before finalising its nominations.
Amid the preparations, Bihar Minister Ashok Chaudhary criticised RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s promise of government jobs for every household, calling it a political gimmick aimed at electioneering rather than addressing public needs.
