NDA’s Seat-Sharing for Bihar’s 2025 Polls

In the high-stakes arena of Bihar politics, where alliances can make or break governments, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has finalized its seat-sharing numbers. On October 12, 2025, the coalition, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) (JDU), formally announced its seat-sharing formula for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. This move comes just weeks before the two-phase polls on November 6 and 11, signaling a rare display of unity amid the usual pre-election drama.

For the first time in Bihar’s electoral history, the BJP and JD(U) will contest an equal number of seats: 101 each in the 243-member Assembly. The remaining 41 seats have been judiciously distributed among smaller allies, ensuring no one feels left out—or at least, that’s the narrative the NDA is pushing. Here’s the full breakdown:

This agreement wasn’t without its hiccups. Negotiations stretched over days, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda holding marathon sessions in Delhi. Smaller allies like Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM(S) and Upendra Kushwaha’s RLSP initially grumbled over “quality seats” and numbers—HAM demanded at least 15 but settled for six, while RLSP faced similar pushback. Chirag Paswan’s LJP(RV), riding high after its Lok Sabha gains, pushed for 40 seats but landed 29, including a bonus MLC seat to sweeten the deal.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the NDA’s Bihar in-charge, hailed the pact as a “cordial” triumph. “We, along with NDA allies, have completed seat-sharing in a cordial atmosphere. Workers and leaders of all NDA parties have welcomed it with joy. Bihar is ready, and an NDA government will be formed again,” he posted on X. Chirag Paswan echoed the sentiment, tweeting: “Bihar is ready—once again an NDA government, this time with full strength alongside #BiharFirstBihariFirst!”

Why This Matters: A Shift from 2020’s Uneasy Balance

Flashback to 2020: The NDA scraped through with 125 seats, but the math was lopsided—JD(U) took 115, BJP 110, and smaller parties a smattering. Paswan’s LJP went rogue, contesting independently and denting the alliance. Fast-forward to 2025, and the NDA has learned its lessons. Equal shares for the big two underscore Nitish Kumar’s clout despite his flip-flops, while boosting BJP’s “double-engine” narrative under PM Narendra Modi.

This parity isn’t just symbolic. Bihar’s electorate, weary of caste arithmetic and development promises, craves stability. The NDA is betting on its governance record—roads, schools, and direct benefit transfers—to counter the opposition’s “jungle raj” jabs. With the first candidate list expected today (October 13), expect heavyweights like Deputy CMs Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha to lead the charge.

The Opposition’s Shadow: Mahagathbandhan in Disarray?

While the NDA celebrates, the Mahagathbandhan (RJD-Congress-Left) is still haggling. Sources suggest RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav is firm on 130-140 seats, leaving scraps for Congress (demanding 70 but offered ~50). A joint manifesto is in the works, but delays could fracture the “united front” against NDA. RJD’s Mrityunjay Tiwari fired back: “The NDA’s deal sidelines smaller parties—it’s BJP’s ploy to weaken JD(U).” Opinion polls give NDA a slight edge, but Bihar’s volatility means nothing’s set in stone.

What’s Next? Campaigns Heat Up

Nominations for the first phase open soon, with PM Modi’s Bihar blitz starting Wednesday. The NDA’s unity play could consolidate its base among upper castes, EBCs, and Dalits, but watch for Paswan’s youth appeal in urban pockets. For voters, it’s a reminder: In Bihar, alliances aren’t just about seats—they’re about survival.

As Bihar gears up for another poll spectacle, this seat-sharing saga shows the NDA’s homework is done. Will it translate to votes? Only November’s results will tell. Stay tuned—Bihar’s ready, but is the NDA unbreakable?