In a significant development for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has finalized its seat-sharing arrangement, marking a first-time parity between its key constituents, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)]. Both parties will contest an equal number of 101 seats each in the 243-member Assembly.
The announcement, made on Sunday, October 12, 2025, by BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, puts an end to weeks of speculation and negotiations among the NDA partners. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), led by Chirag Paswan, has been allocated 29 seats, while the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) will contest six seats each.
This arrangement signifies a shift in the power dynamics within the NDA. In the 2020 Assembly elections, the JD(U) had contested 115 seats, while the BJP fought on 110. The JD(U)'s tally was reduced to 43 seats, partly due to Chirag Paswan's LJP contesting independently, which caused a division of votes in several constituencies. This time, the two major parties will contest an equal number of seats, indicating a recalibration of political weight within the ruling coalition.
Dharmendra Pradhan, who is also the BJP's Bihar election in-charge, stated that the seat-sharing exercise was conducted in a cordial atmosphere, and all NDA partners welcomed the allocation. He expressed confidence that the NDA would secure another term in Bihar.
However, not everyone seems entirely pleased with the outcome. HAM chief Jitan Ram Manjhi, while ultimately agreeing to the seat-sharing formula, expressed that his party had been "undervalued" by being allocated only six seats. He warned of potential "repercussions" within the NDA. Sources indicated that Manjhi had initially demanded a minimum of 15 seats.
The BJP is expected to release its first list of candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections on Monday in Patna. The announcement follows a meeting of the BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) in Delhi on Sunday, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP National President JP Nadda.
Meanwhile, the opposition Mahagathbandhan is also in the process of finalizing its seat-sharing arrangement. RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari commented on the NDA's seat-sharing deal, suggesting that the BJP aims to eliminate the JD(U), and that all is not well within the NDA. He said that the BJP will take the Chief Minister's seat after the elections. However, another RJD leader stated that their seat-sharing formula has almost been finalised, and they believe it will be announced very soon and that the alliance is extremely strong and poised for a grand victory.
The Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases, with the first phase of voting scheduled for November 6 and the second phase on November 11. The outcome of these elections will be crucial for the NDA, as it seeks to retain power in the state amidst a resurgent opposition.
