The grand alliance comprising Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress and others announced its seat-sharing deal in Patna on Friday, 22 March.
For 40 Bihar Lok Sabha seats, RJD leader and party spokesperson Manoj Jha in the presence of RJD State President Ram Chandra Purve announced that Congress would be contesting for 9 seats, and RJD on 20 seats in the state.
Out of the remaining 11 seats, Upendra Kushwaha-led Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) who recently severed ties with BJP-led NDA will contest for five seats.
Jha further announced that former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi-led the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Mukesh Sahnis’ Vikasheel Insan Party (VIP) will contest for three seats respectively, while a single seat was given to the Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist (CPI-ML) - Liberation from RJD quota.
During the press address, it was also announced that former JD(U) president and NDA convener Sharad Yadav will be contesting on an RJD symbol and merge his party Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) with it after the Lok Sabha polls
Polling in Bihar will occur in 7 phases. The dates of polling in Bihar are 11, 18, 23, 29 April and 6, 12 and 19 May.
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