NDA inches closer to finalising seat-sharing formula for Bihar

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday was on the verge of sealing a final seat-sharing arrangement in Bihar for the upcoming assembly elections after the major parties successfully convinced holdouts Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi to temper their seat demands with some minor adjustments likely later.

- Vijay Swaroop

A formal announcement on the seat sharing formula is likely to be made public at a joint press conference in Patna, even as soon as this weekend.

NDA leaders familiar with developments said that the Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be contesting 102 and 101 seats, respectively. Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is likely to contest on around 25 seats, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular on eight and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Samata Party on seven, the leaders added.

Talks were stalled earlier this week after Paswan demanded 35-40 seats, Manjhi 15 seats and Kushwaha 10 seats.

“Consensus has been reached. Numbers would be locked by tonight,” said a NDA leader who was part of the negotiation.