NDA’s first priority is to decide on the number of seats for each of its allies, the person said.

(This story originally appeared in on Aug 22, 2018)

NDA partners in Bihar — BJP, JDU, LJP and RLSP — are still to give final shape to a seat-sharing formula for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In the third week of July, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar of JDU had expressed hope that the arrangement should be solved within a month.

Although NDA partners prefer to remain silent over the possible formula, sources said BJP may sacrifice a few of its sitting seats to accommodate all its allies.

“Ek-aadh seat se adhik nahin (Not more than one or two seats),” a party insider said. “But, it all depends on the situation. BJP wants to show solidarity with its allies before going to the 2019 LS polls. The party’s top leadership has high hopes from Bihar.”

The party also expects LJP and RLSP to extend positive cooperation for properly accommodating JDU, the person said. NDA has 31 MPs from the state, with BJP holding 22 seats, followed by LJP (6) and RLSP (3). Sources said it may be difficult for BJP to sacrifice its sitting seats in regions like old Bhojpur, which accommodate districts like Kaimur, Buxar, Ara and Rohtas, and Magadh region that includes districts such as Gaya, Jehanabad and Arwal. “Most of the seats in these regions politically suit the BJP,” one person said.

NDA’s first priority is to decide on the number of seats for each of its allies, the person said. Sources said Semmanchal region — which has four Lok Sabha seats of Araria, Katihar, Purnea and Kishanganj — is one area where BJP may avoid contesting. “In this region, BJP may adjust its allies, particularly JDU,” one of the sources said. Sources also said JDU is keen to add Darbhanga, which is currently represented by BJP’s suspended MP Kirti Azad, and Madhepura seats in its share.

