Bihar – The Bihar INDIA bloc found itself in damage control mode on Wednesday as senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot met with Rashtriya Janata Dal leaders Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav in Patna. The high-level meeting aimed to address the escalating seat-sharing squabbles that threaten to undermine the Opposition’s Grand Alliance prospects in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. The Bihar INDIA bloc has until Thursday to resolve these critical differences before the withdrawal deadline for nominations.
Multiple Candidates Creating Electoral Chaos
The meeting’s urgency became apparent after nominations for the crucial second phase of assembly polls in Bihar closed, revealing that the Bihar INDIA bloc had fielded more than one candidate in at least 10 seats. This internal competition poses a significant threat to the alliance’s electoral prospects, with the coalition having until Thursday—the last day for withdrawal of nominations for the second phase—to sort out its differences. The second phase covers 122 seats scheduled for polling on November 11.
Gehlot’s Diplomatic Approach to Internal Conflicts
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot attempted to downplay the severity of the situation, characterizing the disputes as minor disagreements typical of large coalitions. “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,” Gehlot stated after the meeting.
Gehlot emphasized that the leaders held productive discussions and promised clarity at a joint press conference scheduled for Thursday. He described differences over a handful of seats as “nothing unusual” in a large alliance, projecting confidence that the Bihar INDIA bloc would overcome these challenges.
Tejashwi Yadav’s Assurances and Electoral Promises
Tejashwi Yadav also expressed optimism that the Bihar INDIA bloc would contest elections unitedly, with all issues resolved by Thursday. “There are no disputes in Mahagathbandhan,” he asserted, urging allies to withdraw candidates where the RJD has staked claims, citing the party’s position as the bloc’s largest force.
Beyond addressing internal alliance matters, Yadav made significant electoral promises targeting government contractual workers. He pledged that all government contractual workers and approximately 200,000 “community mobilizers” among “Jeevika Didis” would be made permanent if the Bihar INDIA bloc comes to power. These community mobilizers would receive a monthly salary of ₹30,000 under the proposed opposition government.
Targeting the Women’s Vote Bank
The workers associated with the World Bank-aided Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project, locally known as ‘Jeevika’ Didis, form the backbone of women’s support behind Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Yadav’s promise directly targets this crucial demographic. “All the contractual workers engaged in government departments will be made permanent. The NDA government is not bothered about the welfare of ‘Jeevika Didis’ in the state…They are suffering like anything,” Yadav declared. Such workers number approximately 14.5 million across the state.
Also Read: JMM Bihar Withdrawal: Explosive Accusations Against RJD and Congress
Seat Distribution Creates Mathematical Problem
The Bihar INDIA bloc’s seat-sharing arrangement reveals the complexity of coalition politics. The RJD is contesting 143 seats, Congress 61, VIP 15, three Left parties combined 33, and Indian Inclusive Party one seat. However, for 243 total seats, the alliance has fielded 253 candidates, creating an obvious mathematical and strategic problem.
The RJD and Congress face each other in four seats: Vaishali, Sikandra, Narkatiyaganj, and Kahalgaon. The RJD contests with VIP in two seats: Chainpur and Babubarahi. The CPI and Congress compete in Bachhwara, Kargahar, Biharsharief, and Rajapakar.
Election Commission Rejections Add to Woes
The prolonged squabbling has triggered additional complications for the Bihar INDIA bloc. The Election Commission rejected RJD candidate Shweta Suman’s nomination from the Mohania assembly seat, finding her scheduled caste certificate was issued in neighboring Uttar Pradesh. Mohania in Kaimur district is demarcated for Scheduled Castes, and candidates from another state cannot contest elections in reserved seats.
Previously, VIP candidate Shashi Bhushan Singh’s nomination from Sugauli seat in Champaran was cancelled during scrutiny due to technical grounds. In the NDA, Lok Janshakti Party candidate Seema Singh’s nomination from Marhaura seat in Saran faced similar rejection.
Opposition Ridicules Alliance Troubles
LJP Leader Chirag Paswan seized the opportunity to criticize the Bihar INDIA bloc, declaring that the Grand Alliance had collapsed. “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,'” Paswan stated.
He questioned the timing of Gehlot’s intervention and the absence of other senior leaders like Rahul Gandhi, suggesting that leadership had failed to address issues promptly. “This shows that the alliance that cannot keep its parties together, how will it keep the 14 crore people of Bihar together?” Paswan asked, highlighting the Bihar INDIA bloc’s credibility crisis.
