26 seats for RJD, 9 for Congress: Bihar's INDIA Bloc finalizes seat-sharing deal

The Opposition's INDIA bloc in Bihar, comprising the RJD, Congress, and Left parties, has finalized a seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state. As per the agreement, the RJD, being the largest constituent, will field candidates on 26 seats, securing a significant portion of the electoral battleground. Meanwhile, the Congress will contest on nine seats, marking its presence in key constituencies such as Kishanganj and Patna Sahib. Additionally, the Left parties will be vying for representation on five parliamentary seats, further strengthening the Opposition's presence in Bihar.

However, negotiations leading up to the agreement were not without challenges, particularly concerning contentious seats like Purnea and Katihar. The RJD's decision to field candidates unilaterally, including the allocation of the Purnea seat, sparked tensions within the coalition. Despite assurances of a fair distribution of seats, concerns lingered over the manner in which candidate selections were made, with some allies expressing displeasure over the lack of consultation. Nevertheless, with the seat-sharing deal now finalized, the INDIA bloc aims to present a united front against the incumbent National Democratic Alliance, setting the stage for a closely watched electoral battle in Bihar.