PATNA, Oct. 12 -- Both the leading alliances -- NDA and INDIA bloc -- have given or promised a number of sops for the electorate, yet both the coalitions have had hiccups in finalising seat-sharing arrangements for the Bihar polls scheduled in two phases in November. The delay, despite the nomination process already setting in, reflects cracks in the confidence of political parties in cobbling allies together and being sure of public support, believe political analysts.

Interestingly, sops rained by the ruling NDA and promised by the Opposition's Mahagathbandhan or Grand Alliance are disproportionate to the state's economic health because despite sustained high figurative growth it remains at the bottom of the ladder with the lowest per ...