With BJP Steering, Chirag Paswan Gets 5 Seats In Bihar Deal; Focus Shifts To RJD-Congress Alliance

The BJP, accustomed to following Nitish Kumar”s lead in Bihar, has now stepped into a leadership role for the first time, driving the NDA in the state. Under a newly finalised formula, the party will contest 17 of the state”s 40 seats, marking a significant shift in dynamics. This decision follows the resolution of an impasse with Chirag Paswan”s faction of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). The BJP securing an additional seat will mark its dominant position within the alliance.

Nitish Kumar”s Janata Dal United (JDU) will field candidates on 16 seats, while Chirag Paswan”s LJP will contest on five seats. Upendra Kushwaha and Jitan Ram Manjhi will each contest on one seat. The agreement with Chirag Paswan”s faction came after lengthy negotiations amid reports of overtures from the opposition bloc, INDIA.

Although the BJP initially offered Chirag Paswan only six seats, to be shared with his uncle Pashupati Paras, reports suggest that the opposition offered him eight seats, including those won in 2019 and two more in Uttar Pradesh. Ultimately, Paswan settled for five seats, refusing to allocate any to his uncle from his quota.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP and JDU had agreed to a 50:50 formula, each contesting on 17 seats, while the LJP, under Ram Vilas Paswan”s leadership, contested six. This alliance secured a remarkable win of 39 of the 40 seats, with only one seat going to the opposition.

Asked about his differences with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Jamui MP Chirag Paswan said that all NDA constituents are united in their goal of winning 400+ seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

With the NDA”s seat-sharing agreement done, the path is now clearer for the RJD-Congress-led Grand Alliance in Bihar to finalise their own. The RJD, which had adopted a “wait and watch” approach regarding Paswan”s decision, can now take proactive steps in shaping the alliance”s strategy.

At a rally in Sahebganj, Muzaffarpur on March 10, Paswan claimed that he was being wooed by every party and asserted he had an alliance with the “people of Bihar”. This was seen as an indication that he could tilt towards any coalition, which would give him a better bargain in terms of seats.

The RJD-led alliance saw the inclusion of the LJP as an opportunity to secure Paswan votes across various constituencies in central, south, and east Bihar, potentially strengthening their electoral prospects.

Mahagathbandhan leaders had closely monitored Paswan”s actions, as well as those of the LJP faction led by Pashupati Kumar Paras, Paswan”s estranged uncle. Uncertainty lingered over several seats, including Hajipur, previously held by LJP founder and former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan.

Following JDU”s exit from the Mahagathbandhan on January 28, a preliminary seat-sharing arrangement was devised. Under this, the RJD is set to contest 25-26 seats, while the Congress and three left parties are poised to contest the remaining 14 seats.