JD(U) may get lion's share of seats for Bihar poll

Seat sharing of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of Bihar elections gathers steam as it is learned that the distribution of tickets among allies will be according to the Lok Sabha election formula.

In the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP contested 17 seats, JD(U) 16, LJP(RV) 5, and HAM and RLM one each. While the BJP had a slight edge in the parliamentary elections, sources said the JD(U) is expected to contest one or two more seats than the BJP this time around.

Apart from BJP and JDU, LJP(RV) will get the maximum number of seats given its 100 per cent winning record in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

As per sources, of the 243 Assembly seats in Bihar, the JD(U) might contest 102-103 seats, and the BJP 101-102. The remaining 40 seats will be distributed among LJP (RV), HAM, and RLM. LJP (RV) could get 25-27 seats, HAM 6 to 7 seats, while RLM may be allotted 4 to 5.

“More meetings will follow on the seat sharing alignment. The final seat sharing will be on the basis of internal surveys. We are looking forward to replicate the winning streak in Haryana, Delhi,” a JDU leader said.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Saturday said his party’s parliamentary board will take a call if he contests the Bihar elections.

He also said he was eyeing the chief minister’s chair.

"Whether I will contest the elections or not would be taken by my party's parliamentary board. Even if I do, it will not be something extraordinary. Even the BJP has often got its leaders with a national footprint to contest state polls," said Paswan.