Bihar Polls: Seat-Sharing Talks Heat Up in Both Camps

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, September 7, 2026: With Assembly elections in Bihar approaching, seat-sharing negotiations have intensified in both the NDA and the Grand Alliance.

In the ruling NDA, demands by Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi and Upendra Kushwaha have made talks difficult. In the Opposition camp, the entry of Hemant Soren’s Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the LJP (Paras) has added to the complexity. The Grand Alliance now has eight parties — RJD, Congress, CPI, CPM, CPI-ML, VIP, JMM and LJP (Paras) — all eyeing a share of 243 seats.

Pashupati Paras’s faction is expected to secure two to three seats, possibly including Hajipur, to target Paswan votes. JMM may be allotted seats in Banka, Munger and Bhagalpur, bordering Jharkhand. Congress state chief Rajesh Ram said all parties must “give up some seats and adjust.”

In 2020, RJD won 75 of 144 seats, Congress 19 of 70, CPI-ML 12 of 19, CPM 2 of 4, and CPI 2 of 6.

This time, Mukesh Sahni’s VIP has demanded 50 seats and a Deputy CM post, though he may get only 20–25. Congress could settle for around 60 seats, while CPI-ML is pushing for more given its high strike rate last time.

Seat-sharing remains the toughest hurdle for both alliances as poll season nears.