NDA Finalises Bihar Poll Deal: BJP, JD(U) to Contest

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has finally reached a seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, bringing weeks of political speculation to an end. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) — the two major allies in the alliance — have decided to contest 101 seats each, while the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) led by Chirag Paswan has been allotted 29 constituencies.

This agreement marks a crucial step for the NDA as it prepares to take on the opposition bloc, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched elections this year.

A Deal Struck After Intense Negotiations

Sources within the NDA confirmed that the final deal was reached after several rounds of negotiations involving top leaders from all three parties. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, BJP state in-charge Vinod Tawde, and Chirag Paswan reportedly held joint discussions in Delhi last week to iron out differences over seat distribution.

Initially, both the JD(U) and the BJP were keen on contesting a majority of the 243 assembly seats, but party strategists agreed that maintaining parity at 101 each represented an equal and balanced partnership. The remaining 41 seats have been shared among the smaller alliance partners, with 29 of them going to Chirag Paswan’s party and the rest expected to be distributed among other regional allies.

Nitish Kumar Still the Face of NDA in Bihar

Despite murmurs of leadership changes within the alliance, it has been made clear that Nitish Kumar will continue to be the NDA’s chief ministerial face in Bihar. The BJP has firmly supported this decision, highlighting Kumar’s administrative experience and his role in maintaining the coalition’s unity.

For Nitish, this election will be crucial in re-establishing his political dominance in Bihar after a year of shifting alliances. Earlier, he had briefly joined hands with the RJD under the INDIA bloc but later returned to the NDA fold — a move that reshaped Bihar’s political landscape yet again.

Chirag Paswan’s Return Strengthens NDA’s Image

Chirag Paswan’s inclusion as a formal member of the alliance is seen as a strategic victory for the NDA. His Lok Janshakti Party, known for its strong Dalit voter base and appeal among young voters, had contested separately in the previous assembly polls, causing damage to both BJP and JD(U) in several constituencies.

This time, Paswan’s party is officially part of the alliance, which could help consolidate NDA’s vote base, particularly in regions such as Jamui, Hajipur, and Samastipur. His father, the late Ram Vilas Paswan, was a towering figure in Bihar politics, and Chirag’s participation within the NDA brings symbolic continuity to that legacy.

Opposition Alliance Looks to Capitalise

While the NDA has finalised its strategy, the opposition bloc — led by Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left parties — is also in the process of finalising its seat-sharing formula. The RJD is expected to contest the lion’s share of seats, while the Congress may fight around 60 constituencies.

Analysts believe the opposition alliance could attempt to use issues like unemployment, rising prices, and law and order complaints against the NDA in their campaign. However, the NDA hopes to counter this narrative by touting the government’s emphasis on development schemes, infrastructure projects, and welfare policies implemented during Nitish Kumar’s tenure.

Political Equation and Future Stakes

For the NDA, unity will be the key to success. In a state known for its shifting loyalties and caste-driven politics, even small divisions can lead to major electoral setbacks. The leaderships of both BJP and JD(U) have already instructed party members to focus on grassroots-level engagement rather than internal competition.

Chirag Paswan, on his part, has expressed confidence that the alliance will perform strongly. “The NDA is united and will win with a clear majority. Bihar’s voters want stability and growth,” he told reporters after the deal was announced.

Political observers see this election as a test not only for Nitish Kumar’s leadership but also for the BJP’s ability to manage coalition politics at the state level. For Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party, Bihar remains strategically important as it sends 40 MPs to the Lok Sabha and influences regional balance in northern India.

The NDA’s final seat-sharing arrangement signals the alliance’s determination to present a united front against the RJD-led opposition. The BJP and JD(U) maintaining an equal number of seats reflects a carefully negotiated balance, while Chirag Paswan’s inclusion adds renewed energy to the coalition’s strategy.

As the election campaign gains pace, all eyes will be on how voters in Bihar respond to this fresh political equation — one that blends experience, continuity, and renewed alliances in a state where no election is ever predictable.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies