The seat-sharing announcement for the NDA in the Bihar Assembly elections unfolded on Sunday. The BJP and JD(U) have agreed to contest an equal number of seats, fulfilling Chirag Paswan's desire to a great extent. Chirag's party LJP (R) has secured 29 seats.
Though Chirag Paswan has got the number of seats he wanted, getting the preferred ones is uncertain. The NDA hasn't finalized the 29 constituencies where LJP will contest.
In the 2020 elections, Chirag wasn't part of the NDA; JD(U) contested 115 seats while BJP fielded candidates for 110. JD(U) and BJP have agreed to contest fewer seats to allocate constituencies to Chirag, yet the real challenge lies in the constituencies where JD(U), BJP, and Hindustani Awam Morcha dominate.
Chirag Secures Desired Seats
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JD(U) and BJP will each contest 101 seats, with the remainder allocated to smaller allied parties. Chirag Paswan's LJP (Ram Vilas) benefits the most, securing 29 seats. Although Chirag's party demanded between 30 to 35, they were allocated 29 seats accordingly.
Chirag Paswan's increasing prominence within the NDA is no secret. He's now viewed as a 'kingmaker' in Bihar politics. The real question is, what makes Chirag so unique that both BJP and JD(U) have agreed to sacrifice their seats to give him more prominence?
Will Chirag Get His Preferred Constituencies?
Despite initially claiming 30-35 seats, under NDA's seat-sharing, Chirag Paswan agreed to contest 29 following interventions from the BJP's top leadership. This announcement was confirmed by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday. Disputes may arise regarding constituencies currently held by BJP and JD(U) since 2020.
Chirag Paswan's current plan includes contesting on some seats which BJP and JD(U) hold.
Will JD(U) and BJP relinquish their winning seats for LJP?
Considering JD(U)'s previous victories, relinquishing seats isn't easy. It's believed that BJP holds four of the contested LJP seats, JD(U) three, and one by Jitan Ram Manjhi's party.
Chirag's Rising Political Influence
Chirag Paswan is carrying forward the political legacy of his father, the legendary Dalit leader Ram Vilas Paswan. The remarkable support from the Dalits, particularly the Dusadh community, is significant in Bihar, and the NDA's victory hinges on gaining this demographic's support.
In 2020, despite contesting 135 seats outside the NDA, Chirag's party won only one seat, inflicting severe setbacks for JD(U) led by Nitish Kumar. Yet, for the first time, BJP emerged as the largest party within the NDA.
For the 2025 Assembly elections, Chirag has devised a completely different strategy compared to 2020, opting to contest with the NDA. With 29 seats allocated, Chirag is pleased with his current position.
Chirag's Enhanced Status
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Chirag Paswan's party delivered a remarkable performance, contesting and winning all five seats. This result highlights the organization and growing support of Chirag's party. Consequently, BJP and JD(U) recognize Chirag Paswan as a powerful political figure in Bihar, more than just an ally leader.
BJP enjoys support from upper-caste and urban voters, while JD(U) has backing from Kurmis and other backward classes. Being inclusive of Chirag's party fortifies the NDA's social base, providing broader support. Although Chirag has been allocated 29 seats, the question remains—will he also receive his preferred ones?
Chirag's Political Ambitions
Chirag Paswan's political ambitions extend beyond simply winning a few seats. He's intent on establishing himself as a leader in Bihar's next political generation. By frequently expressing confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Chirag has strengthened ties with BJP, aiming to step into the role of kingmaker, ready to seize each opportunity.
The recent seat-sharing in Bihar illustrates that Chirag Paswan is no longer a minor ally—he's now a central figure in the NDA's strategy. Chirag's party's strength and control of the Dalit's vote bank pose the essential question: How bright a light can Chirag be in future elections for the NDA, or will he realize his political hopes?
