{"id":17925,"date":"2025-10-06T12:33:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T12:33:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/06\/bihar-elections-2025-nda-india-bloc-and-the-x-factor-called-jan-suraaj-explainers-news\/"},"modified":"2025-10-06T12:33:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T12:33:19","slug":"bihar-elections-2025-nda-india-bloc-and-the-x-factor-called-jan-suraaj-explainers-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/06\/bihar-elections-2025-nda-india-bloc-and-the-x-factor-called-jan-suraaj-explainers-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Bihar Elections 2025: NDA, INDIA Bloc And The X-Factor Called Jan Suraaj | Explainers News"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Last Updated:<\/span>

NDA vs INDIA is the main face-off, but Jan Suraaj\u2019s rise may turn Bihar 2025 into a three-way contest for the future<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\"font\"<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"The<\/p>\n

The electoral contest is largely expected to be a direct fight between the incumbent NDA, led by CM Nitish Kumar, and the Mahagathbandhan led by the RJD. (AP Image)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

Bihar will go to polls in two phases on November 6 and 11, with counting scheduled for November 14<\/a>, the Election Commission announced on Monday. As the poll calendar is now official, the state is witnessing a sharpening political churn.<\/p>\n

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition INDIA bloc are racing to finalise seat-sharing deals, but anxious days lie ahead with internal tensions bubbling just under the surface.<\/p>\n

The electoral contest<\/a> is largely expected to be a direct fight between the incumbent NDA, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and the Mahagathbandhan led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).<\/p>\n

In the 243-member Bihar Assembly, the NDA currently holds 131 seats \u2014 BJP 80, JD(U) 45, HAM(S) 4, and two Independents. The Mahagathbandhan holds 111 \u2014 RJD 77, Congress 19, CPI(ML) 11, CPI(M) 2, and CPI 2.<\/p>\n

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA won 29 out of 40 seats in Bihar, with the BJP and JD(U) bagging 12 seats each, giving the alliance momentum ahead of the Assembly contest.<\/p>\n

While the NDA appears confident on paper, behind-the-scenes bargaining, especially involving Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Upendra Kushwaha, has left the alliance juggling competing demands. The INDIA bloc, meanwhile, is hoping to lock in its caste arithmetic, with Tejashwi Yadav anchoring its EBC-focused pitch.<\/p>\n

And adding an unpredictable third axis is Prashant Kishor\u2019s Jan Suraaj Party, which has quietly expanded its on-ground presence and claims to be ready for a full-fledged electoral debut.<\/p>\n

This is how the three sides are positioning themselves for Bihar 2025.<\/p>\n

NDA: Between Public Confidence And Private Tensions<\/strong><\/p>\n

In public, NDA allies are showcasing unity, but behind closed doors, seat-sharing negotiations remain a delicate balancing act. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who has been appointed as the BJP\u2019s election in-charge for Bihar, is leading the outreach to alliance partners.<\/p>\n

Over the weekend, he held a series of one-on-one meetings with key allies, including JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh \u2018Lalan Singh\u2019, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) head Upendra Kushwaha.<\/p>\n

While Manjhi downplayed any discord, stating that \u201call is well within the NDA” and that seat-sharing would be resolved soon, his subsequent flight to New Delhi the same evening raised speculation that further negotiation was underway. Pradhan also called on Lalan Singh and Kushwaha separately, though Singh described the BJP-JD(U) meeting as merely a \u201ccourtesy call.”<\/p>\n

Despite the optics, BJP insiders indicated that a working formula is nearing finalisation: the BJP may contest approximately 101 seats, JD(U) around 102, with the remaining distributed among allies, including Chirag Paswan\u2019s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Manjhi\u2019s HAM, and Kushwaha\u2019s RLM.<\/p>\n

Chirag Paswan remains a focal point in NDA\u2019s internal calculations. Fresh off a successful Lok Sabha campaign, where his party contested only five seats but punched above its weight, Chirag is now reportedly demanding up to 40 Assembly seats. While BJP leaders credit him with having \u201cbounced back” from his 2020 outsider status, when his party ran solo and damaged JD(U) prospects, they are also wary of ceding too much ground.<\/p>\n

Sources in the BJP suggest the alliance may not be in a position to part with more than 20 seats. The fact that he is pushing for a major share suggests a potential flashpoint ahead. If unresolved, it could unsettle the alliance\u2019s delicate caste and regional balance.<\/p>\n

INDIA Bloc: Tejashwi Leads, EBC Pitch Front And Centre<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the Opposition front, leaders of the INDIA bloc met at Tejashwi Yadav\u2019s residence in Patna to iron out seat-sharing arrangements. The meeting saw participation from senior leaders of the RJD, Congress, Left parties, and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP).<\/p>\n

CPM leader Ajay Kumar told The<\/em> Indian Express<\/em> that the seat-sharing formula had been finalised and would be announced formally on Tuesday. Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram and VIP chief Mukesh Sahani were also present, signalling the bloc\u2019s attempt to project cohesion. The RJD separately convened its core leadership to finalise its own internal allocations before the official declaration.<\/p>\n

Even before announcing its candidate list, the INDIA alliance made a bold caste-centric pitch with the launch of the \u2018Ati Pichhda Nyay Sankalp\u2019, a manifesto exclusively aimed at Bihar\u2019s Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), who comprise roughly 36 per cent of the state\u2019s population.<\/p>\n

This 10-point resolution includes promises such as:<\/p>\n