Amid bickering, claims, and counterclaims over seat distribution in Bihar, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) coalition partners are said to be looking at a 17:17:05:01 formula, wherein the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Janata Dal (United) get to contest 17 seats each, the Congress gets five, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) one. Bihar has 40 Lok Sabha seats.
However, there seems to opposition from Left leaders who want to be suitably accommodated, while the Congress said a formula would be announced “soon as it is not too late”.
Amid all the speculation, there is also talk that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may dissolve the State Assembly on January 22, the day of the consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and make a big move.