Mahagathbandhan Nears Consensus on Seat Sharing for Bihar Election 2025
After weeks of tense negotiations and uncertainty, the Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar has reportedly reached a near-final agreement on seat sharing for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Election 2025.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari confirmed that the Opposition bloc has finalised its seat-sharing arrangement. However, he admitted that “some confusion over a few seats remains” and that a full announcement will follow soon.
Tiwari stressed that the Grand Alliance, led by Tejashwi Yadav, remains united despite internal friction. “The Mahagathbandhan is the people’s alliance. All candidates are asking for votes under the leadership of Tejashwi Yadav. The alliance is intact,” he asserted.
NDA Takes a Dig at Opposition Over Delays
While the Opposition struggled to iron out its differences, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) used the delay to highlight its own unity. LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan mocked the Opposition, saying, “The NDA has respected all five of its allies and completed the negotiation. The nominations of all 243 candidates are clear. There is no confusion like in the Mahagathbandhan.”
Paswan claimed that the NDA campaign is already in full swing, while the Opposition parties are still entangled in internal disputes. “We have already started our campaign when the Opposition partners are trying to cancel out each other’s claims,” he said.
Political observers say that the NDA’s coordinated strategy could give it an early advantage, especially in rural constituencies where campaign momentum matters. The NDA’s move to finalize all 243 candidates has also allowed it to project an image of stability compared to the Opposition’s indecision.
Confusion Persists Over Dozen Constituencies
The Mahagathbandhan, comprising RJD, Congress, CPI(ML-L), CPI(M), CPI, and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), has been struggling to resolve differences over a dozen constituencies. Each party has sought a larger share of seats, leading to overlapping claims in some areas.
Despite the differences, all alliance partners filed nomination papers for the 121 seats going to polls in the first phase. The remaining 122 seats will be contested in the second phase, for which the nomination deadline is Monday.
Sources indicate that the RJD and Congress have reached broad consensus on their share, but smaller Left parties are still negotiating over a few constituencies in central and north Bihar.
According to insiders, Tejashwi Yadav has played a key role in keeping the alliance together. His leadership has been instrumental in preventing smaller parties from breaking away. “There is full coordination among all partners. We are united to defeat the NDA,” said an RJD insider.
Paras to Contest Separately After Talks Fail
Meanwhile, another political twist emerged as Pashupati Kumar Paras, leader of the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), announced that his party will contest the elections independently.
Paras, who is Chirag Paswan’s uncle, stated that his party decided to go solo after seat-sharing talks with the Mahagathbandhan failed. “We wanted a fair share of seats, but the alliance did not respond positively. We will now fight on our own,” he told reporters.
The move is significant as Paras had earlier been a part of the NDA, but broke ties earlier this year, citing “injustice” and neglect of his party’s interests. Political analysts believe his decision could split the Paswan vote bank, particularly in western Bihar.
Mahagathbandhan’s Electoral Challenge Ahead
The Mahagathbandhan faces a complex challenge as it seeks to project unity in the face of aggressive NDA campaigning. While the RJD remains the largest partner, smaller parties like CPI(ML-L) and VIP wield significant influence in local pockets.
Political experts say that unresolved seat disputes could still affect coordination on the ground. “Even if a formal agreement is reached, lingering discontent among smaller allies could impact campaign energy,” said political analyst Arun Kumar Singh.
However, the Opposition hopes to capitalize on anti-incumbency and issues like unemployment, rising prices, and agricultural distress. Tejashwi Yadav has repeatedly framed the election as a “battle between the people and the powerful.”
The coming week will be crucial for the alliance as it finalizes candidates for the second phase. A formal press conference is expected early next week to announce the complete list and seat-sharing details.
What Lies Ahead
The Bihar Election 2025 is shaping into a tight contest between the NDA, led by the BJP and JD(U), and the Mahagathbandhan, anchored by the RJD. With the nomination process almost complete, the stage is set for a fierce campaign across all 243 constituencies.
While the NDA flaunts its organizational unity, the Opposition is banking on Tejashwi Yadav’s mass appeal and promises of employment, education, and governance reform. As both camps lock horns, the final outcome will hinge on how effectively alliances manage their internal equations and voter outreach.