The Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) convened in Delhi today to finalize its seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The meeting occurs amid intensifying competition from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which has already announced its own seat allocation.
RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav, alongside leaders from smaller alliance partners, have reached Delhi for discussions with the Congress leadership. This meeting aims to address internal disagreements within the alliance while setting the groundwork for a united opposition front against the ruling NDA.
Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahni described the current state of the Mahagathbandhan humorously, noting, “Mahagathbandhan has become a bit unwell. We are going to Delhi, and all the doctors are in Delhi, so better treatment will happen there.” His lighthearted remark underscores the urgency of solidifying a cohesive strategy ahead of the elections.
Despite Sahni’s comments, Bihar Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan expressed confidence that the alliance remains strong. He emphasized, “A meeting will be held, and everything will be finalised. The Mahagathbandhan is united, and the current corrupt government is certain to go.” His comments reflect optimism about overcoming the rifts that have emerged as parties finalize the distribution of seats.
Complicating matters, the NDA’s seat-sharing pact allocates significant resources and influence to its key players. Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and the BJP will contest an equal number of seats, 101 each, while Union Minister Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has been assigned 29 seats. The Hindustani Awam Party (Secular) and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) will each contest six seats.
As the pressure mounts for the opposition bloc to come to an agreement, the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections are set for November 6 and November 11, with vote counting on November 14. The stakes are high as the Mahagathbandhan seeks to present a united front to challenge the NDA’s stronghold in the state.
This gathering signifies a critical moment for the Mahagathbandhan as it navigates its way through internal dissent while striving for electoral success in Bihar. Political analysts suggest that how well the leaders manage these negotiations will significantly impact the coalition’s performance in the upcoming polls.
With the political landscape in Bihar rapidly evolving, election observers will closely monitor today’s developments. The success of the Mahagathbandhan in uniting under a single banner could determine not just the fate of the election, but also the future trajectory of opposition politics in Bihar.
