Overview

• The NDA’s published formula of BJP 101, JD(U) 101, LJP(RV) 29, and six each for RLM and HAM stalled at the rollout stage after a joint press event was scrapped over unresolved seat allotments.
• JD(U) leaders signaled Nitish Kumar’s objections to an equal 101–101 split and to ceding constituencies such as Sonbarsa and Rajgir, with requests to reconsider parts of the distribution.
• Smaller NDA partners voiced discontent as Jitan Ram Manjhi and Upendra Kushwaha protested their six-seat quotas, while UP ally SBSP said it will field candidates in Bihar with an eye to cutting into NDA votes.
• The BJP set plans for a high-visibility nomination phase from Oct 15–17 featuring multiple chief ministers and union ministers, even as some NDA seat issues remain unsettled.
• On the Opposition side, Congress–RJD talks remained unresolved with Congress pressing for roughly 60–65 seats, Tejashwi Yadav meeting party leaders in Delhi, and an RJD ticket distribution in Patna reversed overnight; new entrant Jan Suraaj released more candidates as surveys pegged it near mid-single digits.