The Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) will meet in Delhi today to discuss and finalize its seat-sharing arrangement ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. RJD’s Lalu Prasad Yadav, along with his son Tejashwi Yadav and representatives from smaller alliance partners, has arrived in the national capital for these crucial discussions.
This meeting takes place under mounting pressure on the opposition bloc, as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has already made its seat-sharing formula public. The urgency for consensus within Mahagathbandhan stems from the recent declarations made by the NDA, which could potentially influence voter sentiment.
On Sunday, Mukesh Sahni, chief of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and a Mahagathbandhan ally, openly acknowledged internal differences within the alliance. He used humor to address the situation, stating, “Mahagathbandhan has become a bit unwell. We are going to Delhi, and all the doctors are in Delhi, so better treatment will happen there. We will return to Patna after getting healthy.” Sahni’s remarks underscored the ongoing challenges but also highlighted the importance of collaboration.
In contrast, Bihar Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan attempted to mitigate concerns over the alliance’s stability. He insisted that the Mahagathbandhan remains cohesive, stating, “A meeting will be held, and everything will be finalized. The Mahagathbandhan is united, and the current corrupt government is certain to go.” Khan’s confidence points towards an optimistic outlook despite rifts.
The NDA’s seat-sharing agreement has allocated 101 seats each to Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and the BJP while granting 29 seats to Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). Moreover, six seats have been designated each for the Hindustani Awam Party (Secular) led by Jitan Ram Manjhi and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM).
The Bihar Assembly elections for the 243-member Legislative Assembly will unfold in two phases, scheduled for November 6 and November 11, with the counting of votes set for November 14. Political analysts suggest that the outcome could significantly influence the political landscape in Bihar and beyond.
