Bihar Political Crisis: NDA Seat-Sharing Rift and Mahagathbandhan Leadership Chaos

Bihar’s political arena has turned into a battlefield as the ruling NDA alliance grapples with deepening cracks over seat-sharing talks, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan struggles to define its leadership ahead of the state assembly elections. The situation reflects a state caught between uncertainty and intense power play, with both camps facing internal discord and identity crises.

At the heart of the NDA rift lies the ongoing tussle between the BJP and JDU, as both parties attempt to assert dominance. BJP spokesperson Sanju Varma reaffirmed that the final decision on seat distribution will rest with the party’s Central Election Committee and Parliamentary Board, stressing that it will act in the “best interest of the BJP and the NDA.” On the other hand, Dr. Sanjay Kumar of JDU maintained that Nitish Kumar remains the undisputed face of the NDA in Bihar, rejecting speculation that the BJP seeks a new leadership figure.

However, the growing influence of Chirag Paswan and his Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has added another layer of complexity to the alliance dynamics. Paswan’s rising popularity among youth and his assertive stance on candidate selection have reportedly unsettled both major allies, leading to quiet friction beneath the surface of coalition unity.

Meanwhile, the opposition Mahagathbandhan — comprising the RJD, Congress, and Left parties — is battling its own internal chaos. The Congress has yet to formally endorse Tejashwi Yadav as the coalition’s chief ministerial candidate, despite mounting pressure from RJD leaders. Insiders suggest that disagreements over candidate selection and campaign strategy have slowed down preparations, leaving the opposition fragmented at a critical juncture.

Political analysts highlight that caste equations, the ‘Labharati’ welfare beneficiary factor, and each party’s strike rate in previous elections will play decisive roles in shaping Bihar’s electoral outcome. As regional loyalties and welfare politics intertwine, every move by the NDA and Mahagathbandhan carries high stakes.

With both alliances on unstable footing, the road to Bihar’s upcoming assembly elections appears uncertain. The coming weeks will determine whether the NDA can reconcile its internal differences or if the Mahagathbandhan can capitalize on the ruling coalition’s fragility to mount a serious challenge.