The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition INDIA bloc are locked in intense seat-sharing negotiations with the deadline for the Bihar assembly elections inching closer as smaller allies push for their share of the pie and major allies work to iron out differences over competing demands.

The NDA Camp

Hectic parleys are on in the NDA camp to finalise a formula that ensures allies are content without upsetting the arithmetic of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Union minister and BJP Bihar in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan has met key allies Jitin Ram Manjhi (HAM) and Upendra Kushwaha (RLSP) to reach a consensus on seat sharing.

While Manjhi is demanding 20 seats, sources say the BJP is trying to limit the number between seven and 10. Similarly, Kushwaha has asked for 15 seats, w

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