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As Bihar’s political stage heats up ahead of the 2025 elections, all eyes are on Patna where the Mahagathbandhan is expected to announce its seat-sharing pact and possibly crown Tejashwi Yadav as the alliance’s CM face, but is Congress ready to play second fiddle?
Mahagathbandhan press conference to finalize alliance structure and CM face.
Patna: All eyes are on Patna today as the Mahagathbandhan, the grand opposition alliance in Bihar, prepares to hold a key press conference to unveil its final seat-sharing formula and possibly name RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as the bloc’s chief ministerial face for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.
The venue is already decked with boards and posters featuring Tejashwi Yadav’s photographs, fuelling speculation that the INDIA bloc’s joint announcement may effectively crown the 35-year-old RJD scion as the alliance’s undisputed leader.
After weeks of negotiations, the Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), includes the Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) led by Dipankar Bhattacharya, the CPI, the CPI(M), and Mukesh Sahani’s Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP).
Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, along with AICC Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, met Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav in Patna on Wednesday, describing the talks as “highly positive.” Gehlot affirmed, “The INDIA alliance in Bihar is fully united and contesting with strength. The full situation will be clarified at tomorrow’s press conference.”
Although a few ‘friendly fights’ over overlapping constituencies remain, Gehlot insisted they were “not a matter of concern.”
Bihar Elections: Mahagathbandhan faces internal rift; Seat-sharing disputes threaten alliance unity
In a major pre-poll announcement, Tejashwi Yadav pledged sweeping benefits for Jeevika Didis, the state’s community mobilisers. He promised that once the Mahagathbandhan forms government, these workers will be made permanent government employees with a salary increase to ₹30,000 per month.
Tejashwi also announced interest-free loans for two years, a ₹2,000 monthly allowance, and insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh for every cadre. “Our goal is to reward the women who have strengthened Bihar’s rural economy,” he said at a campaign event.
Posters with Tejashwi Yadav’s photo dominate the venue in Patna.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) swiftly criticised Tejashwi’s announcements, calling them “baseless promises.” BJP MP Nityanand Rai said, “There is no substance in whatever they say. The happiness in Jeevika Didis’ lives has come from PM Modi and CM Nitish Kumar. Tejashwi Yadav is spreading confusion.”
Rai further asserted that the people of Bihar had “already decided” to return the NDA government with an absolute majority, citing development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The BJP also took a swipe at the opposition after the press-conference poster displayed only Tejashwi Yadav’s image, omitting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. BJP spokesperson Shehzaad Poonawala mocked on X (formerly Twitter): “Joint PC? But only one picture… Rahul Gandhi and Congress ka ‘samman chori’? Showed Congress its place?”
Sources within the alliance say Tejashwi’s formal projection as CM candidate is “only a matter of time.” CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said, “Entire Bihar knows Tejashwi will be the CM if INDIA bloc gets majority.”
The Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases, November 6 and 11, with results on November 14. The RJD has already released 143 candidates, including 24 women. Final seat adjustments between the RJD and Congress are expected to be announced today.
