NDA Seals Bihar Pact: BJP And JD(U) To Contest 101 Seats Each

Alliance math locked ahead of Bihar elections

In a major pre-poll development, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has finalized its seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] will contest 101 seats each out of the 243-member assembly. Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJP(RV)] has been allocated 29 seats, while the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) [HAM(S)] and Rashtriya Lok Morcha [RLM] will contest six seats each.

The announcement was made jointly by senior NDA leaders, including Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Bihar BJP in-charge Vinod Tawde, who emphasized that the distribution was reached through “cordial consensus.”

Strategic shifts and reduced footprints

Compared to the 2020 elections, both BJP and JD(U) have ceded ground—BJP had previously contested 110 seats, while JD(U) had 115. This recalibration reflects the growing influence of Chirag Paswan’s LJP(RV), which has emerged as a key player in the NDA’s Bihar strategy.

The first list of NDA candidates is expected to be released on October 13, ahead of polling scheduled in two phases on November 6 and 11. Counting will take place on November 14.

Key highlights:
- BJP and JD(U) to contest 101 seats each in Bihar  
- Chirag Paswan’s LJP(RV) allotted 29 seats  
- HAM(S) and RLM to contest six seats each  
- Seat-sharing marks a reduction from 2020 allocations for BJP and JD(U)  
- NDA candidate list expected on October 13  

Opposition yet to announce its strategy

While the NDA has locked its seat-sharing formula, the opposition INDIA bloc—comprising RJD, Congress, and Left parties—is yet to finalize its distribution. Political observers expect intense negotiations within the bloc as it seeks to counter the NDA’s unified front.

With the seat-sharing settled, the NDA is now expected to ramp up campaign efforts across Bihar, focusing on development, governance, and caste coalition dynamics.

Sources: MSN News, CNBC TV18, New Indian Express, India Today