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While the NDA has already finalised its seat-sharing arrangement, the opposition remains stuck in intense negotiations
A total of 121 out of 243 seats will go to the polls in the first phase on November 6. (File photo: X/yadavtejashwi)
The fissures within the opposition’s Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar have widened, offering the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a significant political weapon ahead of the assembly elections. The latest development—the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) announcing its decision to break away from the alliance in Bihar—prompted a fierce attack from the BJP, which labelled the disunity as a failure of leadership.
BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya was quick to seize on the rift, posting a sharp critique on social media. “Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has released the list of its candidates in Bihar and also announced that it is no longer a part of the Mahagathbandhan. Not only this, the party also said that the alliance in Jharkhand will be reconsidered after the Bihar elections. The arrogance of Rahul [Gandhi] and Tejashwi [Yadav] is the real reason for the collapse of the Mahagathbandhan. Bihar is saved,” he wrote on X.
Malviya’s pointed remarks encapsulate the BJP’s narrative: that the “ego” of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress party leaders is causing the opposition’s coalition to crumble even before the contest.
The Opposition’s Seat-Sharing Deadlock
The JMM’s decision to contest the Bihar polls independently on a small number of seats, after failing to secure a satisfactory allocation, is merely the latest symptom of the deeper seat-sharing chaos plaguing the Mahagathbandhan. While the NDA has already finalised its seat-sharing arrangement, the opposition remains stuck in intense negotiations, even as nominations for the first phase of polling have closed.
RJD vs. Congress: The central deadlock revolves around the number of seats for the Congress. While the RJD, the dominant partner, is reportedly firm on offering around 58 seats, the Congress is adamant about contesting more than 60, ideally 65, citing its status as a national party. The poor strike rate of the Congress in the 2020 elections (winning only 19 of 70 seats) has fueled the RJD’s reluctance to concede a higher number.
The Left and VIP: While the RJD has issued symbols to a substantial number of its candidates, the allocation for smaller allies remains highly contentious. The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, a crucial partner that performed well in 2020, is reportedly seeking a proportionate number of seats. Similarly, Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) is said to be uneasy as its share is being squeezed, reportedly being offered only around a dozen seats.
Intra-Alliance Clashes: In a visible sign of disarray, the alliance has seen friendly fire, with candidates from different Mahagathbandhan parties filing nominations against each other in multiple constituencies, including in high-stakes seats like Bachhwara and Rajapakar. Although alliance leaders dismiss these as temporary overlaps to be resolved during the withdrawal period, they underscore the last-minute confusion.
NDA Gets Ammo
In stark contrast, the BJP-led NDA projected a united front, quickly announcing a formal seat-sharing pact with the JD(U) (101 seats each), LJP (Ram Vilas), RLM, and HAM. The BJP is aggressively leveraging the Mahagathbandhan’s public disarray, mocking it as a mere “Lathbandhan” (an alliance of chaos), thereby shifting the public narrative to focus on opposition infighting rather than the NDA’s own internal tensions.
The JMM’s walkout thus provides the BJP with a powerful tool to question the credibility and coherence of the opposition’s challenge in the run-up to the polls.
Bihar will vote in two phases, on November 6 and 11, with counting scheduled for November 14.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
October 18, 2025, 21:30 IST
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