Ahead of the high-stakes Bihar assembly elections, seat-sharing negotiations are underway among alliances, with political parties racing to secure a larger share of seats.
As discussions over the seat-sharing
agreement continue within the NDA camp, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJP) chief Chirag Paswan said that the talks are still at an early stage.
He emphasized that it would be premature to make any announcements before a final decision is reached. Paswan stated that once everything is finalized, the details will be shared publicly at the appropriate time, urging patience and avoiding speculation until then.
“Until things are completely finalised, there is no point in saying or announcing anything…Nothing can be said until a final decision is made. The talks are still at a very early stage, and everything will be shared at the right time,” he said.
With parties gearing up for the polls, the NDA — comprising the BJP, JD(U), LJP (RV), and smaller allies like HAM(S) — is engaged in intense bargaining.
The first round of discussions was held on Sunday (October 5), while the second round is likely to take place midweek. The upcoming meetings are expected to set the tone for a tense round of negotiations within the alliance.
The tough bargaining reflects how the election in Bihar is not only about winning but also about balancing power equations. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), led by Paswan’s growing clout and goodwill within sections of the BJP, is likely to demand 30 to 35 seats, according to sources.
Bihar Assembly Elections
The Election Commission on Monday announced that Bihar will vote in a two-phase election on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14.
Describing the Bihar polls as “the mother of all elections,” the Commission said around 8.5 lakh officers will be deployed to oversee the polling process.
The term of the 243-member state assembly ends on November 22. Political parties had urged the poll body to conduct the elections immediately after the Chhath festival — celebrated at the end of October — to ensure greater voter participation, as many people employed outside the state return home for the festivities.
The 2020 assembly elections in Bihar were held in three phases amid the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic.
