The Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) convened in Delhi today to negotiate its seat-sharing arrangement for the high-stakes Bihar Assembly elections. Senior leaders, including RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav, arrived in the capital to engage in critical discussions with Congress leadership on allocating seats
Amid growing pressure on the opposition bloc, the urgency of the meeting heightened after the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) announced its seat-sharing formula. The friction within the Mahagathbandhan became apparent as they aimed to present a united front against the NDA.
On Sunday, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) leader Mukesh Sahni, who is also part of the Grand Alliance, candidly acknowledged the internal rifts. “Mahagathbandhan has become a bit unwell. We are going to Delhi, and all the doctors are in Delhi, so better treatment will happen there,” Sahni stated humorously, reflecting on the alliance’s internal dynamics before departing.
Despite the underlying tensions, Bihar Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan expressed optimism regarding the alliance. He downplayed rumors of disintegration, stating, “A meeting will be held, and everything will be finalized. The Mahagathbandhan is united, and the current corrupt government is certain to go.” His comments aimed to reassure party members and supporters of the coalition’s stability.
Notably, the NDA’s seat-sharing agreement solidifies the competition. Under this pact, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and the BJP will contest 101 seats each, while Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has secured 29 seats. Additional seats will go to the Hindustani Awam Party (Secular) led by Jitan Ram Manjhi and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), both of whom will contest six seats.
The Bihar Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled to occur in two phases: November 6 and November 11, with the counting of votes set for November 14. As the election date draws nearer, the Mahagathbandhan’s seat-sharing arrangement may profoundly influence the opposition’s strategy against the well-established NDA.
As the coalition faces challenges, the ability to finalize their seat-sharing strategy and present a united front could determine the opposition’s success in Bihar’s political landscape.
