Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot has asserted that the INDIA bloc, also known as the Mahagatbandhan, is fully united for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Addressing concerns about reported discord, Gehlot stated that any “friendly contests” between alliance partners on a few seats should not be misconstrued as internal strife within the coalition.
Following a meeting with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav, Gehlot conveyed a positive outlook. “I had a good discussion with Lalu ji and Tejashwi Yadav. A press conference will be held tomorrow to update the media about the current situation. All constituents of the INDIA bloc will unitedly contest against the NDA candidates,” he assured journalists.
Gehlot emphasized that media reports suggesting otherwise are inaccurate. “All is well with the INDIA bloc. Whatever is being reported by a section of the media is not correct. A friendly contest between alliance partners on five to seven seats in the assembly polls should not be interpreted otherwise,” the former Rajasthan chief minister commented.
He further added that prominent leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav would soon launch their joint election campaign. “There are 243 seats in the assembly…friendly fights happen in other states as well. Mahagathbandhan is firm and united to fight against the BJP and JD(U),” Gehlot stated.
Meanwhile, Union minister Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (RV), whose party is contesting 29 seats, took a swipe at the INDIA bloc’s internal dynamics. He questioned the seriousness of the Congress and the RJD’s approach to resolving seat-sharing issues, suggesting a lack of unity. Paswan expressed confidence that the NDA would form the government in Bihar by November 14, highlighting the NDA’s timely seat-sharing announcement as a positive signal.
Paswan remarked, “The atmosphere is one-sided and we will perform better than our expectations…NDA completed the seat sharing on time, which has sent a very positive message…As the Mahagathbandhan is unable to keep its flock together, we are expected to win more seats. The alliance that cannot take care of its alliance partners, how could they take care of the state?… The public of Bihar is asking these questions to the leaders of Mahagathbandhan…The leaders of NDA will celebrate Diwali again on 14 November…”
In related developments, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav announced the campaign schedule for the assembly elections, with his official announcement as the Mahagathbandhan’s chief ministerial face expected soon. Yadav stated, “The process of nomination filing has been completed and now the campaigning will begin. We will start our election campaign from 24th October.” He also dismissed reports of any rifts within the alliance.
The article notes that seat-sharing disagreements have led to INDIA bloc constituents potentially contesting against each other in at least eight assembly seats in Bihar. The Congress is fielding 61 seats, the RJD 143, CPI nine, and CPI(M) four. The CPI(ML) Liberation is contesting 20 seats.
The Bihar assembly elections, comprising 243 seats, are scheduled in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with results to be declared on November 14.