Bihar Assembly Elections: Mahagathbandhan Sticks Together
The upcoming Bihar Assembly elections are shaping up with renewed emphasis on alliance unity. Congress leader Pawan Khera insisted that there is no hitch in seat-sharing within the Mahagathbandhan and that all partners will contest the polls together. He noted that a formal announcement on seat distribution would follow an upcoming meeting, signaling continued discussions among alliance members rather than a rupture in cooperation.
Khera’s comments come as the Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other regional players, ramps up its messaging about a united front against the BJP-led NDA. He reminded reporters that every party within the alliance has the right to express views, and that consensus will emerge after a meeting to finalize the details. The BJP, hoping to exploit any rifts, has seen those hopes dampened by this reaffirmation of unity.
JD(U) Signals Confidence on Seat Allocation
Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) has reportedly finalized its candidate list for most seats, with speculation that up to four sitting MLAs could be dropped. A senior JD(U) leader noted that the party is likely to contest around 103 of the 243 seats, though an official announcement is expected at an appropriate time by the NDA leadership. The move suggests a careful balancing of local candidates and alliance commitments ahead of the two-phase election.
The NDA setup in Bihar remains cautious, balancing the ambitions of coalition partners with the need to present a cohesive front to voters. The formal seat-sharing, once declared, is anticipated to guide the campaign’s messaging and candidate selection in the crucial run-up to polling day.
Opposition Voices and Regional Voices
Independent MP Pappu Yadav, speaking on behalf of the Mahagathbandhan, stressed that the alliance’s strength lies in its unity rather than the specific number of seats. He said: “Congress leader Rahul Gandhi lives according to the honour of his party and its workers. The principle of alliance is paramount, whether it is a small party or a large one. The alliance is important, the people of Bihar are important, and the victory of the INDIA alliance is important; seats are not important.” This emphasis on alliance cohesion underscores the strategic priority of presenting a united front in Bihar politics.
As campaigns intensify, local voices—from migrant workers across Tamil Nadu to regional leaders—highlight the broad social and economic stakes of the elections. In Tamil Nadu, Bihar migrants described the practical challenges of returning home to vote, including job insecurity and travel costs, underscoring how political outcomes ripple through everyday life for millions of Bihar residents living in other states.
<h2 Wider Political Developments
On the broader political stage, various figures weighed in on promises and governance. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP government of eroding public spaces like the Jai Prakash Narayan International Centre in Lucknow, pledging to restore and improve such institutions if his party governs. In Bihar, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor publicly challenged RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s job promises, signaling fierce policy debates within the broader opposition spectrum.
Other developments include former JD(U) MP Arun Kumar rejoining the party, praising Nitish Kumar’s governance, and Bhojpuri artist Pawan Singh announcing he will not contest, reinforcing loyalty to the BJP. Meanwhile, JMM signaled it would contest in Bihar if allotted reasonable seats within the INDIA bloc, indicating continued realignments ahead of the election.
<h2 What to Expect Next
With seat-sharing discussions continuing, all eyes are on the forthcoming announcements from the Mahagathbandhan and the NDA. The expected clarity on constituency distribution could shape the remaining campaigning period. In the background, the electoral calendar for Bihar remains fixed for late 2025, with two rounds of voting and a countdown that will intensify political messaging in the days ahead.
