The INDIA bloc is making efforts to smooth over internal disagreements concerning seat allocations for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot met with Rashtriya Janata Dal leaders Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav to address these issues, aiming to present a united front despite ongoing seat-sharing squabbles that have put the coalition’s electoral prospects at risk.
This crucial meeting occurred just a day after the nomination deadline for the second phase of the Bihar polls, highlighting the urgency to resolve differences. It’s clear that in at least 10 constituencies, more than one INDIA bloc candidate has been fielded. The alliance has until Thursday, the final day for withdrawing nominations for the second phase (covering 122 seats), to sort out these internal matters.
“The Mahagathbandhan is contesting the elections together. There are some issues on 5-10 seats, including local disputes. The MGB may also see friendly fights on a few seats,” stated Gehlot, downplaying the significance of these disagreements as typical for a large coalition.
Gehlot reported that the discussions were productive, adding, “We had a detailed discussion and everything will be clarified tomorrow at a joint press conference.” He emphasized that disagreements over a small number of seats are common in major alliances.
Earlier, Tejashwi Yadav had also indicated that the MGB would contest the elections unitedly, with all issues expected to be resolved by Thursday. “There are no disputes in Mahagathbandhan,” he asserted, urging allies to withdraw candidates in seats where the RJD has staked its claim, given the party’s position as the bloc’s largest constituent.
In parallel, Yadav made significant electoral promises, vowing to regularize all government contractual workers and approximately 200,000 “community mobilisers” from the ‘Jeevika Didis’ if the INDIA bloc secures power in Bihar. He further pledged a monthly salary of ₹30,000 for these community mobilisers.
The ‘Jeevika Didis,’ who are part of the World Bank-aided Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project (BRLP), represent a significant base of female support crucial for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
“All the contractual workers engaged in the government departments will be made permanent. The NDA government is not bothered about the welfare of ‘Jeevika Didis’ in the state… They are suffering immensely,” Yadav commented, noting that such workers number around 14.5 million across Bihar.
The current seat distribution shows the RJD contesting 143 seats, the Congress 61, VIP on 15, the three Left parties on 33, and the Indian Inclusive Party on one seat, bringing the total to 253 candidates for the 243 available seats.
Specific electoral clashes are evident, with the RJD and Congress facing off in four seats (Vaishali, Sikandra, Narkatiyaganj, and Kahalgaon). The RJD is also in contention with VIP in two seats (Chainpur and Babubarahi), while the CPI and Congress are competing in Bachhwara, Kargahar, Biharsharif, and Rajapakar.
These prolonged seat-sharing disputes have created significant internal chaos, pushing the alliance to a critical point. Adding to the challenges, the Election Commission rejected the nomination of RJD candidate Shweta Suman from the Mohania seat due to an issue with her Scheduled Caste certificate, which was issued in Uttar Pradesh, making her ineligible for a reserved seat in Bihar. The nomination of VIP candidate Shashi Bhushan Singh from Sugauli and Lok Janshakti Party candidate Seema Singh from Marhaura were also rejected on technical grounds.
LJP Leader Chirag Paswan criticized the Grand Alliance, stating that it had effectively collapsed. He remarked, “The way infighting is going on in the Mahagathbandhan and the way the alliance has completely collapsed, even after that, if they are thinking that they will come to power, I think it is nothing less than ‘Mungeri Lal ke sapne’… Where were they for so long? Today, Ashok Gehlot has come to Bihar after everything is over… Isn’t it the responsibility of senior leaders to sit and sort things out maturely?”
Explore more on this topic: