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Tensions between RJD and Congress stall Mahagathbandhan progress in Bihar as both parties clash over Baisi, Bahadurganj, Raniganj, Kahalgaon, and Saharsa
The Congress is reportedly reluctant to endorse Tejashwi Yadav as CM face. (PTI Photo)
As the nomination process for the Bihar Assembly elections 2025 began on Friday, October 10, the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) is still grappling with an internal tussle over seat-sharing, according to a report by News18 Hindi. The dispute between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, two key constituents of the alliance, has stalled over five seats, sources reportedly said.
The contentious constituencies are Baisi (Purnia), Bahadurganj (Kishanganj), Raniganj (Araria), Kahalgaon (Bhagalpur), and Saharsa. Despite several rounds of negotiations, both parties remain firm on their claims. “Neither side is ready to give up even a single seat,” a senior Congress leader was reported as saying, adding that the stalemate may delay the formal announcement of candidates.
In the 2020 Assembly polls, the RJD had contested Raniganj, Saharsa, and Baisi, while Kahalgaon and Bahadurganj were allotted to the Congress. None of these seats were won by the alliance at the time. This time, however, the RJD is reportedly demanding Kahalgaon and Bahadurganj, while the Congress is keen to retain the other three.
The situation escalated after the RJD, without consulting the Congress, allegedly promised a ticket to a Yadav candidate from Kahalgaon, News18 Hindi noted. Matters worsened when Tejashwi Yadav launched his campaign from the same constituency on Wednesday, accompanied by Rajneesh Yadav, son of Jharkhand Minister Sanjay Yadav, believed to be the RJD’s likely candidate.
In the last election, BJP’s Pawan Kumar Yadav had won Kahalgaon, while Congress’ Shubhanand Mukesh lost.
Beyond the seat-sharing row, tensions also persist over the chief ministerial face of the alliance. According to sources cited by News18 Hindi, the Congress is reluctant to endorse Tejashwi Yadav as the CM face, fearing a possible alienation of non-Yadav OBC voters, a move that could benefit the ruling NDA. The RJD, on the other hand, insists that as the largest constituent, it should naturally lead the alliance.
Meanwhile, the Congress has finalised 25 candidates, including sitting MLAs Shakeel Ahmed Khan (Kadwa) and State President Rajesh Ram (Kutumba). The party’s screening committee is expected to meet again on Friday to deliberate on the remaining constituencies before forwarding the list to the Central Election Committee (CEC).
October 10, 2025, 16:57 IST
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