As Bihar gears up for the Assembly elections later this year, the political landscape is witnessing intense negotiations and strategic posturing among the NDA allies. Chirag Paswan, leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), is actively seeking a significant share of seats while reaffirming his commitment to the coalition. Paswan's stance reflects a calculated approach, balancing his ambitions with the need to maintain alliance unity.

Paswan has expressed confidence in the NDA's ability to secure a substantial victory, aiming for over 225 seats out of the total 243. He has also dismissed speculation about friction within the NDA regarding seat-sharing arrangements. While Paswan has not publicly stated the exact number of seats his party desires, reports suggest he is seeking around 40, while the BJP is reportedly offering approximately 25. This difference highlights the ongoing negotiations and the importance Paswan places on securing a "decent number of quality seats".

In a recent interview, Paswan emphasized his ability to influence votes, stating he can affect 20,000 to 25,000 votes in every constituency. He also alluded to his political ambitions, hinting at a possible expansion of his role in state politics and even suggesting he may contest in the upcoming elections. While not openly vying for the Chief Minister's position, he has kept the door open, stating, "There is no vacancy for the post...".

Despite past criticisms of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Paswan has softened his stance, now referring to Kumar as a "strong link" in the NDA. This shift in tone indicates a strategic realignment, recognizing the importance of a united front to challenge the opposition. However, Paswan has also made it clear that his support is not unconditional, emphasizing that he is "just supporting the government from the outside" and is "part of the NDA only at the center". He has also said that if he is uncomfortable, he always has the option of walking out of the alliance.

The BJP faces a delicate balancing act in managing the seat-sharing negotiations. While the party acknowledges Paswan's ability to sway voters, it is also wary of upsetting other allies, particularly the Janata Dal (United) [JDU], led by Nitish Kumar. Some reports suggest a broad consensus within the NDA where the JDU and BJP would contest 102 and 101 seats respectively, leaving 20 seats for Paswan and 10 each for other smaller parties.

Paswan's LJP (Ram Vilas) is backed by the Paswan community, a significant Dalit group that accounts for approximately 6% of Bihar's population. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Paswan's faction won all five seats it contested, demonstrating his continued influence. To further solidify his party's position, Paswan recently launched the "Chirag ka Chaupal" campaign to connect with the public and reinforce the party's message.

As the election draws closer, the NDA's final seat-sharing arrangement and Paswan's ultimate role will be crucial factors in determining the outcome of the Bihar Assembly elections. The ability of the NDA to strike a balance between accommodating Paswan's ambitions and maintaining the cohesion of the alliance will be a key test of its strength and unity.