Chirag Paswan Says NDA Finalises Bihar Poll Candidates Smoothly, Takes a Dig at Mahagathbandhan’s Seat Disputes
Patna, October 18 (TheTrendingPeople.com): With the Bihar Assembly elections just weeks away, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Saturday declared that all discussions within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regarding seat allocation have been “completed smoothly.” Paswan also took a sharp jab at the opposition Mahagathbandhan, pointing out the alliance’s ongoing seat-sharing disagreements that have led to internal clashes among its candidates.
NDA Completes Seat Allocation Without Disputes
Addressing reporters in Patna, Chirag Paswan said the NDA had concluded its internal negotiations “in a spirit of unity and mutual respect.” He emphasized that the coalition — comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), and Hindustani Awami Morcha (HAM) — had finalized its full list of 243 candidates without any dispute or delay.
“You all can see the atmosphere within the NDA and among the public — the ease with which the NDA has respected all five of its allies and successfully completed smooth negotiations. All our 243 candidates’ nominations have been cleared, and there is no confusion about the names, unlike in the Mahagathbandhan,” Paswan said.
This unity within the NDA, he added, stands in stark contrast to the opposition alliance, where disagreements have resulted in multiple candidates filing nominations from the same constituencies, undermining the Mahagathbandhan’s credibility ahead of the polls.
Bihar Elections 2025: A Two-Phase Contest
The Bihar Assembly election will be held in two phases, scheduled for November 6 and 11, to elect representatives for the 243-member Assembly. This election is seen as a litmus test for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who seeks to retain power under the NDA banner.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has already announced the schedule, and political activities across the state have intensified. The NDA, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is pitching the election as a referendum on development, law and order, and governance stability, while the Mahagathbandhan is rallying around unemployment, price rise, and corruption issues.
Chirag Paswan Meets Amit Shah to Finalize Strategy
Chirag Paswan also revealed that he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is currently on a visit to Bihar, to finalize the NDA’s election strategy.
“In the meeting with Amit Shah today, the strategy to win historic seats was discussed. Head-to-head clashes are going on within the Mahagathbandhan, where candidates have filed nominations against candidates of their own alliance,” Paswan stated.
The meeting reportedly focused on micro-level booth management, social coalition outreach, and youth mobilization — areas considered crucial for the NDA’s electoral success.
NDA’s Seat Distribution
The NDA has now officially announced the names of all its candidates. The BJP and JD(U) will contest 101 seats each, while the remaining 41 seats have been distributed among the other three allies — LJP (Ram Vilas), Rashtriya Lok Morcha, and Hindustani Awami Morcha.
This equal division between BJP and JD(U) reflects a balanced power-sharing arrangement aimed at minimizing friction between the major partners, something that both leaders — Nitish Kumar and Chirag Paswan — have consistently emphasized.
Mahagathbandhan’s Seat-Sharing Tussle
Meanwhile, the opposition Mahagathbandhan, consisting of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left parties, continues to struggle with seat-sharing arrangements. Disagreements between the RJD and Congress have reportedly led to multiple nominations from the same seats, creating visible divisions within the alliance.
Several local party workers from the Mahagathbandhan have also expressed dissatisfaction with their leadership over the allocation process, terming it “unfair and unclear.” Analysts say this could significantly affect the alliance’s grassroots mobilization and overall campaign momentum in key constituencies like Patna, Gaya, and Bhagalpur.
Leaders Express Confidence in NDA’s Victory
Bihar Minister Janak Chamar expressed confidence that the NDA would once again secure a majority. Speaking to IANS, he said that Nitish Kumar’s government had transformed Bihar’s governance model.
“Everyone in the state is aware of how the Nitish government has brought Bihar out of the jungle raj. Under a government of good governance, everyone feels safe, and the public clearly favours development. Once again, in 2025, people will vote in favour of development,” Chamar said.
Former MP Arun Kumar echoed similar confidence, saying that people wish to see continuity in the development agenda led by PM Narendra Modi and CM Nitish Kumar.
“People want to give a strong mandate to continue the development initiated under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and CM Nitish Kumar. A lot of work is in progress, and hence people want the NDA government to return to power,” Kumar told IANS.
Why It Matters
The smooth coordination within the NDA is seen as a strong signal to voters of a stable leadership, especially when contrasted with the visible infighting in the opposition camp. Analysts note that seat-sharing unity often translates into organizational discipline and effective ground-level campaigning, which could give the NDA an advantage in close contests.
On the other hand, the Mahagathbandhan’s internal rift might dilute its messaging on key issues such as unemployment and corruption — topics that could otherwise resonate with sections of Bihar’s youth and middle-class voters.
Local and National Impact
At the local level, this election will determine the future of Nitish Kumar’s governance model, which has been centered on development, law and order, and women’s empowerment schemes. At the national level, a victory for the NDA in Bihar will be seen as an endorsement of the Modi government’s policies, further consolidating its position ahead of the 2026 Lok Sabha elections.
If the NDA performs well, it will strengthen Chirag Paswan’s political standing within the alliance and signal renewed unity among the BJP-led coalition partners in key Hindi heartland states.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The completion of seat-sharing talks without internal strife marks a strategic win for the NDA, especially in a politically complex state like Bihar. As the opposition Mahagathbandhan grapples with internal dissent, the NDA has projected an image of unity and readiness.
However, the real test will come on November 6 and 11, when voters will decide whether development and stability triumph over dissatisfaction and change. Bihar’s political landscape remains dynamic, but for now, the NDA appears to have taken an early lead in the race to shape the state’s future.