Political tensions within the NDA alliance have deepened ahead of the Bihar Assembly Election 2025, as Upendra Kushwaha’s dissatisfaction grows over the seat-sharing arrangement. Sources reveal that Kushwaha is upset about being allotted only six seats and is particularly angered by the Mahua seat being shifted from his party’s quota to Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas). Initially, Kushwaha had finalized his candidate and was preparing to distribute the election symbol for Mahua, but the seat’s sudden reassignment left him disappointed. Despite several attempts by BJP leaders—including Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, Union Minister Nityanand Rai, and senior leaders Rituraj Sinha and Nitin Naveen—to pacify him in Patna, talks have failed. Following this, Kushwaha is now heading to Delhi to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the ongoing rift. BJP sources indicate that efforts are underway to offer him an additional seat or future political adjustment, possibly a Rajya Sabha berth after April. Meanwhile, Chirag Paswan has been asked by the BJP to hold the Mahua and Chakai seats, with discussions continuing over their final allocation. The NDA’s internal friction reflects the growing unease among allies as the first phase of nominations nears.
