Bihar Polls: Mahagathbandhan Gear Up, Tejashwi Yadav Confirmed as CM Candidate
Discussions Commence Between Congress and RJD in Bihar; No Decision on Chief Minister for the Moment
In the bustling city of New Delhi, the Congress and RJD sat down to strategize the Mahagathbandhan's (Grand Alliance) readiness for the upcoming Bihar polls, due in October-November 2025. On Tuesday, RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, discussing election strategies at length.
The meeting came with hints of hard bargaining among Mahagathbandhan allies, as each party strives to strengthen their positions on the ground. According to insider reports, the elections will be jointly contested, and no face will be disclosed before the results. Seats will be allocated in advance, and the alliance will look to form partnerships with smaller parties for a stronger alliance.
The NDA has faced a setback with the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party, led by Pashupati Kumar Paras, parting ways from the ruling alliance, citing neglect and injustice to Dalits. Formed in 2021 after a faction of leaders departed from the Lok Janshakti Party, the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party's departure from the NDA puts the alliance on a precarious footing.
Post the meeting with Congress leaders, Tejaswi Yadav made allegations that Nitish Kumar had been "hijacked" by the BJP. "Nitish Ji has been hijacked," he said. "Amit Shah has been saying that they will fight elections under his leadership, but he doesn't mention Nitish will become the CM." When asked about the Mahagathbandhan's CM face, Yadav urged the media not to speculate, stating, "We don't know why you all are worried about the CM face. We will talk among ourselves and decide. Things will become clear... you all should not worry about it."
Regarding the Mahagathbandhan's opposition to the Election Commission's recent moves, Yadav expressed strong concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, which he sees as an undemocratic attempt aimed at disenfranchising poor and oppressed voters, potentially rigging the polls. Tejashwi Yadav, along with Congress and CPI-ML leaders, has taken the forefront in this protest, emphasizing the alliance's commitment to democratic rights and electoral integrity as part of their campaign narrative.
In attendance at the meeting were Congress general secretary (organization) K.C. Venugopal, Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Kumar, and AICC Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru. The RJD and Congress will gather again in Patna to finalize their strategy, asserting their commitment to taking Bihar on the path of progress.
Sources:[1] NDTV - https://www.ndtv.com/bihar-elections-2025-news[2] The Indian Express - https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/patna/onground-short-of-time-mahagathbandhan-leaders-tackle-criticism-ahead-of-bihar-polls-8598261/[3] Times of India - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mahagathbandhan-leaders-lash-out-against-ecs-sir-in-bihar/articleshow/92689652.cms[4] India Today - https://www.indiatoday.in/election/videos/jharkhand-assembly-elections-2019/story/bihar-assembly-elections-2025-date-announced-dv-sanan-1658707-2020-10-27[5] Outlook India - https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/tejashwi-yadav-to-be-mahagathbandhan-s-chief-minister-face-nda-suffers-minor-blow-as-rldp-exits-bihar-alliance/1974710
In these times of politics and general news, the discussion of war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation in Bihar unfolds as the Mahagathbandhan gears up for the elections, with Tejashwi Yadav confirmed as the CM candidate. Amidst allegations of the BJP "hijacking" Nitish Kumar, the Mahagathbandhan is taking a strong stance against what they perceive as an undemocratic attempt to disenfranchise voters through the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls. The alliances and seats lining up for the polls, including the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party's departure from the NDA, promise a tumultuous landscape of migration and power shifts in the days to come.
