The two major political alliances in Bihar, the Mahagathbandhan and National Democratic Alliance (NDA), are facing mounting challenges over seat-sharing arrangements. The smaller partners in ruling camp, HAM and LJP (RV), and VIP in the Opposition camp, are holding their ground and pressing for a fatter share of seats, making it difficult for the main parties to arrive at a consensus. Despite the growing tension, both the BJP-led NDA and the RJD-Congress-led Mahagathbandhan claim they will sort out the matter soon.

Two months ago, Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi had told THE WEEK that it has been almost a decade since his party entered Bihar’s political scene, yet it still has not achieved the status of a recognized state party. “It will not be possi

See Full Page