Observers believe candidates within the Mahagathbandhan have already been informed, as such last-minute decisions are common during elections, with all parties striving to maximise their electoral prospects. “This type of posturing is common, sometimes the names are declared on the last day also,” they add
With just three days left before the nomination deadline for the first phase of elections, trouble continues regarding seat-sharing in both major alliances — the BJP-JD(U) led NDA and the RJD-Congress-Left Mahagathbandhan.
Cracks appeared in the Janata Dal (United) after party MP Ajay Kumar Mandal offered to resign on Tuesday, alleging he was being denied access to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. On the same day, senior BJP leaders such as Samrat Choudhary and Nityanand Rai met Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief Upendra Kushwaha at his Patna residence to assuage him following reports of his dissatisfaction with the seat-sharing arrangements. After the closed-door meeting, Kushwaha reportedly expressed his discontent, stating, “This time, nothing is well in the NDA.”
The allocation of 29 seats to Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan has upset NDA allies. Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi announced that his party would field candidates in two of the constituencies allotted to Paswan’s party.
Under the seat-sharing agreement, the BJP and JD(U) are contesting 101 seats each, while HAM and RLM have been given six seats each. The biggest beneficiary appears to be Chirag Paswan, with 29 seats allocated to his faction.
After the NDA announced the seat-sharing formula on social media, Manjhi was the first to publicly express his dissatisfaction, saying his party’s importance had been underestimated and warning of possible consequences. Kushwaha too posted an “open message” on social media, apologising to party workers and admitting the party failed to secure the number of seats it had hoped for. This is despite official claims by leaders from all NDA constituents that ticket distribution was completed amicably.
Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan is also facing internal challenges ahead of the October 17 deadline for filing nominations for the first phase. Alliance partners are still finalising their list of candidates amid last-minute negotiations and seat swaps. The Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) on Tuesday released a list of 18 candidates, only to later withdraw it, saying the final list would be announced at a press conference.
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), candidates can file nomination papers until October 17 (Friday). Scrutiny of nominations will take place the following day, and the last date to withdraw candidatures is October 20. Effectively, only three days remain for filing nominations. Observers believe that candidates within the Mahagathbandhan have already been informed, as such last-minute decisions are common during elections, with all parties striving to maximise their electoral prospects. “This type of posturing is common, sometimes the names are declared on the last day also,” they add
