Now, as preparations begin for the 2025 assembly elections, the Mahagathbandhan could potentially include eight parties, making it the largest political alliance in Bihar.
New additions to the alliance
Alongside old allies like RJD, Congress, CPI (ML), CPI, and CPM, the Mahagathbandhan has now brought in:
- Mukesh Sahni’s VIP
- Pashupati Kumar Paras’ RLJP
- Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)
Another party, the Indian Inquilab Party (IIP) led by IP Gupta, is in the final stages of negotiations to join the alliance. A final decision may be announced during the Mahagathbandhan meeting scheduled for September 15. If confirmed, this would make Mahagathbandhan the alliance with the highest number of constituent parties in Bihar.
NDA trails in party numbers
Currently, the Mahagathbandhan has seven parties, set to become eight with the IIP’s inclusion. In contrast, the NDA has five constituents:
- BJP
- JDU
- HAM (Jitan Ram Manjhi)
- Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (Upendra Kushwaha)
- LJP-R (Chirag Paswan)
Mukesh Sahni, once an NDA ally, has now clearly shifted to the Opposition. Though the NDA holds more seats in the current assembly (by about 10–12 MLAs), the Mahagathbandhan leadership believes that they lost the 2020 elections by a margin of just 11,000 votes — a gap they are confident of closing in 2025.
Strategy to regain power
The Mahagathbandhan’s strategy is focused on constituencies lost by narrow margins in 2020. To strengthen its social base, the alliance is bringing in caste-based parties that represent specific voter segments.
- Mukesh Sahni is expected to consolidate the Nishad vote.
- Pashupati Paras, former Union Minister, brings in Dalit support.
- IP Gupta, a former Congress leader who launched the IIP after a massive rally at Gandhi Maidan, is backed by the Paan Samaj community, particularly from the Tanti-Tatva castes.
Seat-sharing challenges ahead
An expanding alliance means a more complex seat-sharing arrangement. In 2020:
- RJD contested 144 seats
- Congress contested 70 seats
- Left parties contested 29 seats combined
This time, both RJD and Congress have agreed to reduce their share to accommodate new partners:
- Congress may bring down its demand to around 55–60 seats
- RJD could reduce by 10–15 seats
- Left parties will likely retain their 29 seats, though CPI (ML) may increase its share to 25 seats
Proposed seat distribution for new allies:
- Mukesh Sahni’s VIP: 15–18 seats
- RLJP (Paras): 2–3 seats
- JMM: 2 seats
- IIP (IP Gupta): 5–7 seats (if finalised)
However, all allies are demanding more. For instance, Mukesh Sahni wants 60 seats and the Deputy CM post, while CPI (ML) is asking for 45 seats. Meanwhile, Congress insists on contesting 70 seats again, claiming it was unfairly given unwinnable constituencies in 2020.
NDA banks on ‘double engine’ development
The NDA is relying on the performance of its double-engine government — the BJP at the Centre and JDU in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited Bihar multiple times, announcing several development projects. The state government under Nitish Kumar emphasises infrastructure, education, healthcare, and rural development.
NDA leaders argue that the development agenda will override caste and alliance politics and that they are confident of returning to power in 2025.
