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The BJP said Mukesh Sahani, the leader of Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), had been insulted by the RJD and Congress by not being allowed to contest from Gaura Bauram.
VIP leader Mukesh Sahani | File pic/PTI
As the elections in Bihar are in full swing, reports of another rift within the Mahagathbandhan alliance have surfaced, this time involving Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) Mukesh Sahani, the INDIA bloc’s Deputy Chief Ministerial face in the state.
Ahead of the second phase of the Bihar elections, sources told News18 India that Sahani is reportedly upset with the Mahagathbandhan and stayed away from the alliance’s rally held in Jitoura. There are rumours that Sahani might be in touch with a senior NDA leader and can make a major decision before November 14, the day of the results.
Seizing on this alleged rift, the Bihar BJP said Sahani had been “insulted” in the Mahagathbandhan, and it was natural for the VIP chief to feel angry. “The entire Bihar has witnessed the manner in which RJD and Congress have insulted Mukesh Sahni ji in the Mahagathbandhan.”
“First, Mukesh Sahani was not allowed to contest the elections, and then his brother was allegedly pressured to withdraw from Gaura Bauram. After such humiliation, Mukesh Sahani’s displeasure is quite natural. The resentment of the extremely backward Mallah community over the RJD’s dismissive attitude toward them is completely justified,” the party said.
मुकेश सहनी जी को महागठबंधन में आरजेडी और कांग्रेस ने जिस ढंग से अपमानित किया, उसे पूरे बिहार ने देखा है। पहले मुकेश सहनी जी को चुनाव नहीं लड़ने दिया फिर गौराबौरम से उनके भाई को दबाव देकर बिठा दिया। इतना अपमानित होने के बाद मुकेश सहनी जी की नाराजगी होना स्वाभाविक है। अतिपिछड़ा… https://t.co/0ZZ6SOQlxV— BJP Bihar (@BJP4Bihar) November 9, 2025
However, the VIP party has denied any such rift within the opposition alliance. Mukesh Sahani released a video urging his supporters to back the Mahagathbandhan candidate in the elections to quell rumours of discontent.
“Hey, you jealous folks! When the first round of voting didn’t go your way, you’ve now started cooking up fantasies! Remember, Mukesh Sahani is firm on his promise – he won’t sit back relaxed until he makes Tejashwi Yadav the Chief Minister and gives the BJP a resounding defeat,” he said in a post on X.
अरे ओ दिलजलों!पहले राउंड के मतदान में जब हवा टाइट हो गई, तो अब ख्याली पुलाव पकाने बैठे हो!याद रखो मुकेश सहनी वचन का पक्का है, जब तक @yadavtejashwi को मुख्यमंत्री नहीं बना देगा और भाजपा को पटखनी नहीं देगा,तब तक चैन से बैठने वाला नहीं है!और हाँ…14 तारीख के बाद जीत के जश्न…— Mukesh Sahani (@sonofmallah) November 9, 2025
Mukesh Sahani’s Influence In Bihar
Reports had earlier surfaced that Mukesh Sahani will file nomination from the Gaura Bauram seat before the first phase of the elections, but RJD candidate Afzal Ali filed his nomination from the same seat. Sahani soon clarified that he would not contest from the seat, but would campaign for the Mahagathbandhan and become the deputy CM.
This marks a sensitive point in Bihar politics, as Sahani commands influence over the Extremely Backward Class (EBC) vote, which comprise 30% of Bihar’s votes – including Nishads, Kevats, Lohars, Telis and more. The opposition has attempted to woo the EBC vote with its 10-point ‘Atipichhda Nyay Sankalp’
Born into a Nishad (Mallah or fisherman) family, Sahani’s political career covers his journey from a small-town boy to a successful Bollywood set designer and finally to a powerful politician wielding influence over a crucial vote bank. In 2020, he had switched from the Mahagathbandhan to the NDA after his demands for 25 seats and the Deputy CM post were rejected.
Sahani served in the Nitish Kumar cabinet as the Minister for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries. He returned to the Mahagathbandhan in 2024 after the VIP won four seats, but three of them switched to the BJP.
This is not the first time a rift within the Mahagathbandhan has been suspected. Tensions have allegedly flared between the RJD and Congress as seen by ‘friendly fights’ in several constituencies, and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) breaking away from the alliance to contest independently.
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More
Bihar, India, India
November 09, 2025, 18:03 IST
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