INDIA bloc struggles with seat-sharing as NDA finalises candidates

With just a day remaining for filing nominations for the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections, covering 121 constituencies, the Opposition INDIA bloc continued to struggle over seat-sharing, while the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has finalised candidates for all 243 Assembly seats.

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

The NDA, projecting unity under the leadership of JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar, completed announcements across all its respective quotas. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a three-day campaign tour in Bihar, reaffirmed that the coalition would fight under Kumar's leadership and that the elected legislators of the alliance would collectively decide on the chief ministerial post after the elections.

Terming Kumar “a very prominent socialist leader in Indian politics,” Shah highlighted his longstanding anti-Congress stance and role in the JP movement during the Emergency.

"We are fighting the elections under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is also leading our election campaign," Shah told Aaj Tak. On questions of whether Kumar would retain the chief ministership even if BJP won more seats than JD(U), Shah recalled that in the outgoing government, despite BJP having more MLAs, Kumar led the administration, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recommendation.

He also emphasised that the BJP has consistently respected coalition partners, whether at the Centre or in states.