Discontent grows in JD(U) over ticket distribution, seat-sharing

Two days after the ruling National Democratic Alliance declared its seat-sharing arrangement, cracks have begun to show within the Janata Dal (United) party. On Tuesday (October 14, 2025), party MP Ajay Kumar Mandal offered to resign, alleging that party leadership had denied him access to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. In another incident, MLA Gopal Mandal, another party leader, staged a sit-in protest outside the Chief Minister’s residence, citing similar grievances.

Besides, at least three party leaders filed nominations even before the JD(U) formally released its list of candidates.

According to sources, the decision to place JD(U) at par with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had so far been a junior partner in the alliance, has not gone down well with a section of the party. JD(U) leadership is also unhappy with the BJP’s decision to give 29 seats to Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).

In the 2020 Assembly election, Mr. Paswan, then heading a united LJP, had run a campaign against Mr. Nitish Kumar and fielded candidates against the JD(U), reducing the party to 43 seats.

Ajay Kumar Mandal, Lok Sabha member from Bhagalpur, posted a two-page letter on social media, blaming the party leadership for not consulting him on candidate selection for the Assembly constituencies coming under his Lok Sabha constituency. He also complained that he was not allowed to meet Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

“If outsiders or inactive individuals continue to be prioritised, the party’s roots will weaken and this will directly impact the leadership of the Chief Minister, which is a matter of concern for all of us,” Mr. Ajay Mandal wrote to the Chief Minister, seeking his permission to resign from Lok Sabha.

Meanwhile, Gopal Mandal alias Narendra Kumar Niraj, JD(U) MLA from Gopalpur in Bhagalpur district, sat on dharna (sit-in) outside the Chief Minister’s official residence — 1, Anne Marg, Patna — amid speculation that he was denied ticket. Mr. Gopal Mandal, who often hitting headlines for wrong reasons and his controversial remarks, has been a staunch supporter of Mr. Nitish Kumar.

Additionally, at least three JD(U) leaders filed their nomination papers ahead of the party issuing the list of candidates. JD(U) state president Umesh Kushwaha filed his papers from Mahnar constituency in Vaishali district, Bijendra Prasad Yadav, a multi-term legislator and Cabinet minister, from Supaul, and former party MLA and local strongman Anant Singh from Mokama.

However, JD(U) working president Sanjay Jha maintained that “all is well” within the NDA. “Someone is plotting against us spreading such rumours… Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is happy (over seat distribution) and he is personally in touch with top NDA leaders,” he said. Mr Jha also affirmed that the candidate list of NDA parties will be released by Tuesday evening.