NEW DELHI: The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing growing internal concern over its future prospects in Bihar, as tensions with key ally Janata Dal (United) [JDU] escalate over seat-sharing for the upcoming assembly elections.
Sources within the BJP confirm that party leaders are dissatisfied with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s uncompromising demand for a lion’s share of the 243 assembly seats — reportedly insisting on nothing less than 122 seats for his party.
This deadlock has created an uneasy atmosphere within the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) camp. The situation took a dramatic turn when Lok Jan shakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan made a bold announcement declaring full support for the NDA across all 243 constituencies.
While this statement was projected as a boost for NDA unity, veteran journalist Ashok Thakur dismissed its significance. “Chirag’s announcement may generate headlines, but on the ground, he lacks the capacity to swing votes for the BJP,” Thakur said. Drawing parallels with Paswan’s short-lived film career, Thakur predicted his political intervention would meet a similar fate.
On the other hand, the Mahagathbandhan — the grand alliance led by Rastriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist), and other Left parties — appears to be gaining substantial momentum. Even smaller groups like the Pashupati Paras-led Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party are reportedly in touch with the opposition alliance, signaling broader consolidation against the BJP.
According to insiders within the Mahagathbandhan, there is no ambiguity over the alliance’s chief ministerial face. RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have developed a close working rapport, with plans underway to hold joint rallies across Bihar in the coming months. “The synergy between Rahul and Tejashwi is natural and effective. Their campaigns are resonating strongly with youth, women, and backward communities,” said a senior RJD strategist.
The ground reality suggests a clear shift in voter sentiment. Rahul Gandhi’s grassroot outreach — particularly among marginalized communities and women — has made a deep impact, say political observers. With the recent caste census notification on June 16 further amplifying backward caste mobilization, a significant chunk of the OBC, MBC, and Muslim vote bank is reportedly drifting away from the JDU-BJP combine.
Compounding the BJP’s woes is the absence of a charismatic local leader to counter Tejashwi Yadav’s growing popularity. The party’s leadership vacuum in Bihar remains a glaring weakness, with no clear face to lead the campaign or unify cadres. Additionally, the controversial handling of the Waqf issue has alienated many Muslim voters, who now seem to be consolidating behind the RJD-Congress alliance.
Political analysts believe the Mahagathbandhan could secure a two-thirds majority if current trends persist. “The NDA’s position in Bihar is deteriorating rapidly. Unless they resolve their internal frictions and project a credible leadership alternative, the road to Patna looks increasingly blocked,” said Thakur.
As the battle for Bihar intensifies, all eyes are on how the BJP recalibrates its strategy — or risks being swept away by a reinvigorated opposition front.
(Writer is Senior Journalist and Political Commentator)
