Overview: Seat-sharing delays and intra-alliance signals
The Bihar assembly elections are drawing nearer, but the Mahagathbandhan led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has yet to publicly finalize a seat-sharing agreement. As nomination deadlines for the first phase approach, party veteran Lalu Prasad Yadav has begun distributing party tickets to favored candidates, signaling a preemptive strategy that echoes patterns seen during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The move has sparked chatter about how the alliance plans to balance ambitions within its constituents, including RJD, Congress, and left parties.
Lalu’s move: tickets handed out before formal accord
On Monday, a crowd gathered outside Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Patna residence after he returned from Delhi, where he had appeared in court. According to PTI, aspirants who had reportedly received party calls showed up with the RJD symbol in hand, radiating confidence about their prospects. Among those who reportedly received tickets were Sunil Singh from Parbatta—who left Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) last week—and Narendra Kumar Singh, alias Bogo, a several-term former MLA for Matihani. Observers say such selections hint at Tejashwi Yadav’s strategy to broaden appeal among influential caste groups, including the Bhumihars, who have historically swung toward the BJP-led NDA.
However, the party symbol was reportedly withdrawn shortly afterward from these leaders, suggesting a fluid, on-the-ground process rather than a finalized, formal list. This patsy-style rollout raises questions about whether the RJD is testing the waters while the broader Mahagathbandhan contends with seat-sharing negotiations among its members.
Historical pattern: before, during, and after alliances
This is not the first instance of Lalu Prasad attempting to shape candidate lists ahead of formal agreements. In 2024, the RJD distributed tickets to several leaders prior to a seat-sharing pact with Congress, the Left, and other allies. Despite those unilateral moves, alliance partners eventually synchronized and fielded candidates under a unified banner. The present episode mirrors that pattern, prompting concern among partners about a lack of early consensus and the risk of sowing discord ahead of crucial voting in Bihar.
Current dynamic within the Mahagathbandhan
Tejashwi Yadav—Lalu’s son and the coalition’s rising face—has been actively engaging in discussions with Congress leaders about seat-sharing ahead of the Bihar polls. A meeting at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence brought together Tejashwi, Congress general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal, and Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, among others. Sources indicate that discussions with Bihar Congress leaders, including Rajesh Ram and Shakeel Ahmad Khan, have continued in pursuit of a broader, more durable seat-sharing framework. The coalition’s overall strategy is expected to be clarified within the coming days, with a joint manifesto possibly accompanying a formal candidate list.
What the election landscape looks like
In the current configuration, electoral arithmetic remains delicate. The Congress is expected to receive fewer seats than in 2020 due to its relatively weaker statewide performance, while the RJD’s stronghold remains in the upper- and middle-tier vote banks. The BJP-led NDA has already announced seat allocations—JD(U) and BJP in 101 seats each, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vikas) in 29 seats, and smaller outfits like Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha in a handful of contests. Bihar’s two-phase voting is scheduled for November 6 and 11, with vote counting on November 14, keeping everything tightly timed and potentially volatile as alliances shuffle candidates and messaging in the days ahead.
Implications and what to watch next
As nomination deadlines press closer, the Mahagathbandhan will likely publish a joint manifesto and finalize seat-sharing in the coming days. Stakeholders will be watching how Lalu’s unilateral ticketing plays into broader negotiations and whether Tejashwi’s outreach translates into a more cohesive, disciplined alliance that can take on the BJP-led NDA in Bihar. Voters will also gauge whether the coalition can present a united front, or if internal maneuvering will undermine trust and campaign coherence.
With Bihar poised for a high-stakes electoral battle, the path to a stable and mutually agreed seat-sharing arrangement remains the central question, even as individual leaders receive party symbols and emerge as potential candidates in the run-up to polling.
