The opposition alliance in Bihar is struggling to finalise seat-sharing, raising doubts over its unity for the 2025 assembly elections.
With the first phase of nominations for the Bihar assembly elections underway, the opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) is facing a critical challenge. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Indian National Congress, the two largest parties in the coalition, have not agreed on how to divide seats. The October 17 nomination deadline is fast approaching, creating urgency for a resolution.
The main point of conflict is the number of seats allocated to Congress. RJD, which won 75 seats in 2020 and leads the alliance, is offering 55-58 seats. Congress, citing its national status and past performance, insists on 61-65 seats, even though it won only 19 out of 70 seats it contested in 2020. RJD is also keen to retain Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate and is reluctant to reduce its share below 130 seats.
The deadlock is affecting smaller allies in the coalition. Parties like the CPI(ML) Liberation and CPI have started announcing candidates for seats previously discussed informally. The Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), representing the Mallah community, has had to lower its initial seat demands. These delays are hindering ground-level election preparations, leaving candidates uncertain about party symbols and constituencies.
Meanwhile, the ruling NDA has already finalised its seat-sharing, with BJP and JD(U) contesting 101 seats each, giving it a strategic advantage. Multiple high-level talks in New Delhi between RJD and Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, have yet to resolve the dispute. Reports of unilateral actions within RJD, such as allocating symbols to loyalists, have added to the tension.
Key constituencies like Bachhwara and Narkatiaganj are sticking points, showing that the rift is not only about numbers but also control over winnable seats. If a deal is not reached soon, alliance partners may end up in friendly contests, weakening the Mahagathbandhan and benefiting the NDA strategically.
