New Delhi, Sep 15 (IANS): Denying reports of displeasure over the importance given to HAM leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, the LJP on Tuesday said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) remained united ahead of the Bihar assembly elections.

"Our cadres expressed surprise that we were not given (seats) what we had been told," Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Chirag Paswan said.

Paswan was quick to underscore that the NDA "remains united" and that his party was not upset about the role assigned to another NDA partner, Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM).

There were reports that the Paswans were upset that they were promised 41-42 seats but given 40 instead.

BJP president Amit Shah announced on Monday that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would contest 160 seats, LJP 40 seats, Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) 23 seats and HAM another 20 seats.

HAM nominees would contest a few seats allotted to the BJP as well.

The five-phased polling for the 243-member assembly would be held between October 12 and November 5. The counting would take place on November 8.