Bihar elections 2025: BJP, JDU get equal share as NDA finalises seat deal

Patna: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Sunday unveiled its seat-sharing formula for the Bihar Assembly elections 2025. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) (JDU) will contest 101 seats each, signalling parity between the two main coalition partners.

The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has been allocated 29 seats, while the Rashtriya Lok Morcha and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) will contest on six seats each. The announcement marks the formal start of the NDA’s campaign strategy in Bihar, where political equations have been closely watched ahead of the high-stakes election.

With both the BJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JDU getting an equal number of constituencies, the alliance appears keen to project unity and balance of power within the coalition. Smaller allies such as Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas) and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM are also expected to play crucial roles in specific regional strongholds.

The NDA’s declaration comes amid preparations by rival coalitions, including the Mahagathbandhan led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, which are yet to finalise their own seat-sharing arrangements.

According to the final seat-sharing plan, the NDA’s total of 243 seats has been divided among five parties: BJP (101), JDU (101), LJP (Ram Vilas) (29), Rashtriya Lok Morcha (6), and Hindustani Awam Morcha (6). The formula maintains a 50-50 split between the BJP and JDU, underscoring an effort to avoid friction that arose in previous election cycles.

Political observers note that the NDA’s decision reflects a carefully negotiated balance between national and regional considerations. The BJP aims to consolidate its urban and upper-caste voter base, while the JDU will focus on rural and OBC segments.

The seat-sharing announcement sets the tone for what is expected to be a fiercely contested election, with the NDA banking on its governance record and opposition alliances attempting to exploit anti-incumbency sentiments. The Election Commission is expected to announce the full schedule of the Bihar Assembly polls shortly.