Tensions emerge between RJD and Congress over seat-sharing and chief ministerial candidate ahead of Bihar elections
The stalled talks and competing leadership ambitions have sparked tensions, casting doubt on the coalition’s unity against the NDA.
Tensions are rising within Bihar's opposition alliance, the Mahagathbandhan, as cracks deepen between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress ahead of the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for October-November. Disagreements over seat-sharing and the choice of the chief ministerial candidate have sparked open friction, threatening the coalition’s unity against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
The latest clash happened in the Kutumba assembly constituency, where a Congress-organized workers’ meeting was boycotted by key RJD leaders, including block and district presidents and former MLA Suresh Paswan. In response, the RJD held its own strategy session, signaling its growing assertiveness amid the alliance tensions. Paswan, a senior party leader, used the meeting to rally workers, showing the RJD’s intent to consolidate its influence.
The disagreements have been brewing for some time. Recently, Congress leader Krishna Allavaru sparked controversy by saying the chief ministerial candidate for the alliance would be “decided by the people of Bihar,” which didn’t sit well with the RJD. The party has been pushing for its leader, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, to be the face of the coalition. Tejashwi has been vocal, calling himself the “original CM” and criticizing Nitish Kumar as a “visionless” and “duplicate” leader. In a rally on September 13, he declared that he would contest all 243 seats, emphasizing his determination to lead the alliance to victory.
Meanwhile, Congress is demanding a substantial number of seats—around 60-70—comparable to or more than what it contested in 2020. Congress youth leader Kanhaiya Kumar reinforced this by stating that the opposition will contest all seats collectively, reflecting ongoing talks about seat distribution. The Congress is also reportedly eyeing the deputy chief minister’s post if it has to concede seats.
The alliance’s smaller partners, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, and the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party, are also negotiating for a larger share, adding to the complexity.
Despite public tensions, senior leaders from both RJD and Congress remain hopeful of resolving differences before the scheduled seat-sharing meeting on September 15. Analysts warn that unresolved conflicts could split the opposition vote, benefiting the NDA, which holds a strong position with 127 seats from the last polls. As Bihar prepares for a fiercely contested election, the Mahagathbandhan’s ability to unite could determine its success or failure.