? Patna: As Bihar heads into the final phase of the 2025 Assembly elections, both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan face the twin challenge of retaining their traditional bastions and expanding their influence in new territories. This round is particularly crucial for the smaller allies in both camps who demonstrated bargaining power during ticket distribution — but now must prove their ground strength at the ballot box. NDA’s Allies Under Pressure For the NDA, Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is contesting 15 out of 28 allotted seats (one nomination was cancelled), while Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) is contesting all six seats allocated to it. Both leaders are seen as the Dalit faces of the NDA. Additionally, Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha...