Seat Sharing Stalemate Delays NDA Candidate List In Bihar As BJP JDU Clash With Chirag

National News: The NDA alliance in Bihar, consisting of BJP, JDU, Chirag Paswan’s LJP-R, and smaller partners, had planned to release its candidate list. However, the announcement was pushed back after disputes emerged. Sources revealed that the seat numbers had been agreed upon, but differences surfaced over specific constituencies. The tension caused frustration among leaders and candidates waiting for confirmation. Party workers across Bihar were left in confusion as they prepared for the nomination process.

BJP Confirms Delay Publicly

BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal confirmed the delay and announced that the final list would be unveiled the following day. He assured that all five alliance parties would declare candidates together. The plan is to ensure that by October 18, every major leader will be present during the nomination process. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also expected to attend some nomination events. The BJP’s intervention reflects the seriousness of the ongoing disagreements.

Chirag Demands More Seats

Sources suggested that Chirag Paswan’s LJP-R demanded seats currently held by JDU, creating disputes. Chirag wants constituencies like Matihani, Tarapur, and Rajgir, where JDU already has sitting legislators. The issue is not about overall seat counts but rather about which seats each party gets. Reports say there are at least eight contentious constituencies. LJP leaders argue they have strong local candidates, while JDU refuses to surrender seats they consider their strongholds.

Talks Led By Top Leaders

BJP election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan has been leading talks to resolve the impasse. Chirag Paswan is currently in Delhi, while his close aides and election coordinators are part of discussions in Patna. Negotiations have continued late into the night, with BJP hopeful that a solution will be reached soon. Senior leaders emphasize that smaller allies like Jitan Ram Manjhi and Upendra Kushwaha are not part of the dispute this time.

Past Election History Matters

In the 2020 Bihar elections, Chirag Paswan’s party contested 136 seats alone and won only one. The Matihani MLA later defected to JDU, further weakening LJP’s position. Despite this, Chirag is demanding the same seat back for his candidate. Similarly, he has shown interest in other JDU-controlled seats. His critics argue that demanding constituencies he previously lost is unrealistic. Still, Chirag believes his party deserves better representation within the alliance structure.

Other Allies Watch Closely

Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha has also been promised six seats. These seats will also come from BJP and JDU’s share. In the last election, Kushwaha allied with BSP and AIMIM but failed to win any. This time, NDA is trying to accommodate him without disturbing the balance further. Smaller allies like Manjhi and Mukesh Sahni have not raised objections yet, but insiders say they are watching developments carefully before making moves.

Final Decision Expected Soon

Despite the delay, BJP leaders remain confident that a resolution is near. They believe the list of candidates will be finalized within 24 hours. The plan is to ensure that all parties present a united front before nominations close. Analysts say these seat disputes show the fragile nature of alliances in Bihar politics. As pressure builds, party workers and candidates hope for clarity. The next few days will decide how strong NDA enters the election.