NDA regional allies broaden caste base

Riding the National Democratic Alliance wave, three smaller partners in the coalition—the LJP (RV), HAMS and RLM—won 28 of 40 seats they contested, becoming key to the alliance’s caste arithmetic in a state where voting following such faultlines are politically crucial.

- Vijay Swaroop

Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) represents Dalit Paswans, Jiten Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) commands support among Dalit Manhjis, and Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Loktantrik Morcha attracts Kushwahas—a demographic the Rashtriya Janata Dal also targeted.

While HAMS won five of six seats and RLM secured four of six, LIP (RV) won 19 of 28 seats contested. This continues the party’s momentum from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when it swept all five seats it fought.

The turnaround marks a dramatic reversal from 2020, when Chirag Paswan contested 147 of 243 assembly seats and won just one, earning blame for the Janata Dal (United) dropping to 43 seats—its lowest tally since 2005.