Members of the anti-BJP 'grand alliance' at a joint rally in Patna. (Photo: Press Trust of India)
BJP chief Amit Shah has called the Bihar election a battle between "a coalition of compulsion" and "a coalition of common chemistry and similar ideologies." History and current events, however, present a far more complex web of political relationships. It's complicated.
Here's a look at friendships in Bihar, past and present:
The BJP's coalition of four parties takes on what is being called the 'Grand Alliance,' led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and currently featuring his Janata Dal (United), Lalu Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal or RJD and the Congress.
The BJP's three regional allies are all new friends. It had contested the last Assembly elections in 2010 as the junior partner of Nitish Kumar's JD(U), a winning team that bested the Lalu Yadav-Ram Vilas Paswan combo.
Yes, the same Lalu Yadav who is now playing wingman to Nitish Kumar for next month's elections. Lalu Yadav was till last year one of Nitish Kumar's most bitter rivals. They were brought together by the common need to defeat the BJP.
Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Jan Shakti Party has also switched sides. It is now a part of the BJP's coalition and had proved a steady partner till this morning, when Mr Paswan's son Chirag, publicly registered his party's displeasure at the way seats have been divided.
The BJP had fought the national election last year along with Mr Paswan and Upendra Khushwaha of the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) winning 32 of 40 seats in Bihar. This year it added to the team Jitan Ram Manjhi and his new party the Hindustan Awam Manch (Secular) or HAM.
Jitan Ram Manjhi was in the JD(U) till some months ago. He was the trusted lieutenant Nitish Kumar had picked to replace him as Chief Minister last year when he stepped down owning responsibility for his party being decimated by the BJP in the national election.
When Nitish Kumar decided earlier this year that he would be Chief Minister again, Mr Manjhi rebelled and was thrown out by the JD(U). In effect, Mr Manjhi was a BJP ally five years ago and is a BJP ally now. Ditto Upendra Khushawa, who too was in the JD(U) in 2010.
The Congress is the minor partner in the alliance that Nitish Kumar leads this year. Five years ago, its vice president Rahul Gandhi had strategically decided not to ally with Lalu Yadav and contest alone in Bihar. It had fought all 243 seats, won four.
Lalu Yadav has refused to attend a rally addressed by ally Rahul Gandhi this week. Two weeks ago, Mulayam Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party walked out of their alliance, unhappy with the division of seats.
All the changes above were impelled by Nitish Kumar's decision to end his party's 18-year alliance with the BJP in 2013. Bihar votes in five phases from next month. Votes will be counted on November 8.
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