Overview: Lalu’s move amid fragile seat-sharing talks
The Bihar assembly elections are approaching, but the seat-sharing arrangements within the Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), remain unsettled. As nomination deadlines loom for phase one, party patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav has triggered a flurry of activity by distributing party tickets to favored candidates. This development echoes a pattern seen before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when RJD announced contenders ahead of a formal alliance agreement.
Ticket distribution before formal consensus
According to reports, aspirants who allegedly received call cues and a party symbol walked away with smiles, signaling internal power dynamics and personal influence within the RJD. Notably, Sunil Singh, who recently quit Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), and Narendra Kumar Singh alias Bogo, a seasoned MLA with multiple terms, were among those handed symbols. Political observers see these moves as Tejashwi Yadav’s strategy to consolidate support among upper-caste, upper-subclass voters, such as Bhumihars, who have traditionally leaned toward the BJP-led NDA.
Alliance timing and potential repercussions
Experts say Lalu’s unilateral ticketing could complicate negotiations with alliance partners, including Congress and Left parties, who have historically reserved the right to approve candidates. The tension mirrors earlier episodes in national politics where the RJD acted first, only to align later with broader agreements. The upcoming phase in Bihar, covering 121 seats, heightens the stakes as every seat counts in a multi-party contest.
Tejashwi’s outreach and cross-aisle discussions
Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav, the RJD’s political heir, is engaging with Congress leadership, including president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, to push forward seat-sharing dialogues. A meeting also involved Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal and Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, signaling a push for a joint platform and manifesto. While formal announcements are anticipated in the coming days, party insiders caution that face-saving measures may delay finalization.
What this means for Bihar’s political landscape
The Mahagathbandhan’s ability to finalize seat-sharing will shape the electoral arithmetic in a highly competitive two-phase contest slated for November 6 and 11, with counting on November 14. The Congress faces a potential reduction in seats compared with 2020, when it secured 19 of 70 contested. Meanwhile, the BJP-led NDA has already outlined its seat distribution among partners, including JD(U) and BJP contesting 101 seats each, and LJP(RV) and other allies occupying several seats. The evolving dynamic raises questions about vote transfer, candidate quality, and the cohesion of the opposition bloc.
Looking ahead: Thursday’s or this week’s joint manifesto?
Party insiders expect a clearer picture in the next few days, possibly accompanied by a joint manifesto that outlines shared priorities and governance promises. As nomination filings progress, the balance between timely negotiations and early ticketing will shape voter perception of the INDIA bloc’s readiness for government formation.
Conclusion: Navigating intra-alliance tensions
With Bihar’s assembly elections just weeks away, the clash between swift ticketing by Lalu Prasad Yadav and ongoing seat-sharing negotiations underscores the complexities of building a broad-based political alliance. The INDIA bloc’s ability to harmonize candidate selection with a cohesive policy platform will be crucial to mounting a credible challenge to the ruling coalition.
