Have Bihar polls reached a breakthrough with NDA's seat-sharing deal?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- NDA's seat-sharing agreement ends negotiations.
- Chirag Paswan's party to get 25-26 seats.
- Nityanand Rai played a crucial negotiating role.
- Former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi remains firm on his demands.
- Coalition includes five major parties.
Patna, Oct 10 (NationPress) The prolonged standstill concerning seat distribution within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections 2025 seems to have reached a resolution, with a formal announcement anticipated on Saturday.
Sources indicate that an understanding has been established between Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding the allocation of seats.
The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), under the leadership of Chirag Paswan, is expected to secure 25 to 26 seats, signaling the conclusion of a tense negotiation phase within the coalition.
Union Minister Nityanand Rai has reportedly been instrumental in breaking the deadlock.
The BJP assigned him the task of negotiating with Chirag Paswan to achieve a consensus.
Rai met Paswan four times in the last 24 hours in New Delhi, and both leaders have now suggested that a favorable resolution has been attained.
After their most recent meeting on Friday, when questioned about the discussions, Chirag Paswan smiled and remarked, “What Rai said is the situation. All details will be disclosed in due course.”
Chirag Paswan also expressed confidence, stating that as long as PM Narendra Modi is present, he has no concerns.
Earlier, Rai commented to reporters, “The smiles on our faces say it all. Everything is positive.”
Meanwhile, another NDA partner, former Chief Minister and HAM(S) president Jitan Ram Manjhi, remains steadfast regarding seat allocation.
Sources suggest that Manjhi is not only focused on the number of seats but also wishes to contest from specific constituencies of his preference.
Following discussions with Chirag Paswan, Nityanand Rai also conferred with Dharmendra Pradhan, the BJP’s head for the Bihar Assembly elections.
The Bihar NDA comprises five member parties, including BJP, JD-U, LJ-PRV led by Chirag Paswan, HAM led by Jitan Ram Manjhi, and RLM led by Upendra Kushwaha.