The INDIA-bloc faces challenges with the seat allocation in Bihar as the Communist Party of India (CPI) seeks to contest for three seats, while CPI-ML is claiming eight seats. In a press release, the parties have urged the alliance to announce a revised seat sharing agreement. Earlier, the seat distribution deal suggested that Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) will contest on 28 seats whereas Congress was to be fielded from nine seats, two seats were given to CPI and one to CPI-ML.
The distribution of Lok Sabha election seats has emerged as a contentious matter for both the NDA and the INDIA alliance factions in Bihar. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is also not pleased with the seat sharing deal. Pashupati Paras is dissatisfied with the BJP leadership due to Chirag Paswan’s effective seat-sharing agreement. Sources acquainted with the matter indicated that should Paras’ negotiations with the BJP falter, the RJD is considering offering him a favourable seat-sharing arrangement.
The Lok Sabha elections in Bihar are scheduled to occur in seven phases, commencing on April 19. Initially, on April 19, voting will transpire for four seats: Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, and Jamui. Subsequently, on April 26, polling will be conducted for five seats: Kishanganj, Katihar, Prunia, Bhagalpur, and Banka. On May 7, another set of five seats will undergo polling: Jhanjharpur, Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, and Khagaria. May 13 will witness voting for Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, and Munger.
On May 20, the electoral process will encompass Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Saran, and Hajipur. May 25 marks the voting day for Valmiki Nagar, Paschim Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Sheohar, Vaishali, Gopalganj, Siwan, and Maharajganj. Finally, June 1 will see Nalanda, Patna Sahib, Pataliputra, Arrah, Buxar, Sasaram, Karakat, and Jahanabad going to the polls. The vote counting is scheduled for June 4.