Bihar – The opposition Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar is poised to announce its much-anticipated Bihar Mahagathbandhan seat sharing plan this week, following intensive negotiations between coalition partners. The alliance is also expected to release a joint manifesto as the state prepares for assembly elections scheduled in November 2025.
High-Level Meetings Underway in National Capital
Top sources confirm that discussions regarding the Bihar Mahagathbandhan seat sharing arrangement are progressing, with RJD and Congress leadership expected to meet on Monday in the national capital. RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Yadav are currently in Delhi, providing an opportunity for crucial face-to-face negotiations.
When questioned about the Bihar Mahagathbandhan seat sharing talks on Sunday, Lalu Prasad confirmed ongoing discussions. “There is a meeting of the alliance. Talks are on,” he told reporters, indicating that negotiations are entering their final stages.
However, Tejashwi Yadav remained tight-lipped about specific details, stating that their Delhi visit was primarily due to a court hearing regarding the land-for-jobs scam. “We have come here as the court has called us,” he explained to reporters, deflecting questions about the alliance strategy.
Congress Likely to Contest Fewer Seats
According to reports, the Bihar Mahagathbandhan seat sharing formula may see Congress receiving fewer seats compared to the 2020 assembly polls. This adjustment reflects the party’s performance in the last state election, where the Indian National Congress managed to secure only 19 out of 70 seats it contested.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh addressed the ongoing negotiations, stating, “The Congress president has been speaking to all the coalition partners in Bihar, and the final discussion is on for deciding candidates in a few seats where the Congress and some other parties feel they are strong.”
Ramesh confirmed that discussions between RJD and Congress leaders are expected on Monday but stopped short of providing definitive confirmation about the Bihar Mahagathbandhan seat sharing announcement timeline.
New Partners Create Adjustment Challenges
Explaining the delay in finalizing the Bihar Mahagathbandhan seat sharing arrangement, Ramesh highlighted the complexity of accommodating new alliance partners. “We have to adjust some new partners in the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ and we have to adjust them too in seat-sharing,” he explained.
The Congress leader expressed optimism about reaching a conclusion soon: “In the next two-three days, we expect all the seats to be finalised and declared.”
Congress Seat Allocation Expectations
When pressed about the specific number of seats Congress will contest in the 2025 polls under the Bihar Mahagathbandhan seat sharing formula, Ramesh offered a range rather than a precise figure. “Anything between half a century and a century,” he stated, suggesting Congress could contest between 50 to 100 seats.
“The Congress is likely to get a respectable and acceptable number of seats,” Ramesh added, emphasizing that the party’s allocation would reflect both its aspirations and ground realities.
The previous Bihar Mahagathbandhan seat sharing arrangement in 2020 saw Congress contesting 70 assembly seats and winning 19, while the RJD contested 144 seats and secured 75 victories in the 243-member Assembly.
Joint Manifesto in the Works
Beyond the Bihar Mahagathbandhan seat sharing plan, the opposition alliance is also preparing to unveil a joint manifesto this week. This unified policy document is expected to outline the coalition’s vision for Bihar’s development and address key voter concerns across various sectors.
The manifesto release alongside the seat-sharing announcement will provide voters with a comprehensive understanding of the opposition’s electoral strategy and governance priorities.
NDA Alliance Announces Its Plan
Meanwhile, the ruling NDA alliance has already revealed its seat-sharing arrangement on Sunday, gaining a strategic advantage over the opposition. In the Bihar Mahagathbandhan seat sharing comparison, the NDA’s clear allocation demonstrates organizational efficiency.
Of the 243 assembly seats, the BJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal United will each contest 101 seats. The Rashtriya Lok Morcha of Upendra Kushwaha and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustan Awam Morcha have been allocated six seats each. Additionally, Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will contest 29 seats.
Election Timeline and Significance
The Bihar assembly polls will be conducted in two phases on November 6 and 11, 2025, with vote counting scheduled for November 14. The first phase will cover 121 seats, while 122 seats will go to polls in the second phase.
The delayed Bihar Mahagathbandhan seat sharing announcement has created some concern among alliance workers and supporters who are eager to begin ground-level campaigning. However, party leaders maintain that thorough negotiations will result in a stronger, more united coalition.
Strategic Implications
The Bihar Mahagathbandhan seat sharing formula’s success will largely depend on how effectively the alliance balances the aspirations of different parties while maximizing electoral prospects. With new partners joining the coalition, ensuring harmony and avoiding internal conflicts will be crucial for mounting an effective challenge against the NDA.
As the announcement approaches, political observers are watching closely to see how the opposition coalition navigates the complex dynamics of seat allocation while maintaining unity and electoral viability in this crucial state election.
