Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday reaffirmed the unity of the INDIA Bloc following a meeting with All India Congress Committee (AICC) Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav.
Gehlot emphasised the strength of the Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar, announcing that a press conference would be held on Thursday to demonstrate its solidarity. He also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly orchestrating a "sponsored campaign" to create a false narrative of discord within the alliance.
"Today, a highly positive meeting took place with AICC Bihar in-charge Shri Krishna Allavaru, along with Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav and Shri Tejashwi Yadav. The INDIA alliance in Bihar is fully united and is contesting the elections with strength. Tomorrow, the full situation will be clarified in the Mahagathbandhan's press conference," Gehlot stated, addressing the media after the meeting.
Gehlot also addressed concerns about "friendly fights" among alliance partners on certain seats, dismissing them as minor and typical in large electoral contests. He explained that such situations arise due to local dynamics and do not indicate any significant issues within the Mahagathbandhan. "In 243 seats, due to local leaders and equations, a situation like a friendly fight sometimes arises on 5-7 seats. This is a very small number, but a campaign was run against the Mahagathbandhan in the media over it, whereas in reality, there is no problem at all," he said.
Highlighting the public sentiment in Bihar, Gehlot expressed confidence in the alliance’s prospects, stating, "Bihar now wants change, and the people of the entire Bihar understand that the victory of the INDIA alliance in the state is in the interest of the country and the state."
The Mahagathbandhan, which includes parties like the Congress and RJD, is facing challenges in approximately 12 constituencies where at least two allied parties have fielded candidates, leading to these so-called friendly fights. This has drawn criticism from the opposing National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which has maintained a cohesive front since finalising its seat-sharing arrangement.
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Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Chirag Paswan sharply criticised the Mahagathbandhan, claiming that the alliance had already disintegrated before the elections could begin. "The way an infighting is going on in the Mahagathbandhan and the way the alliance has completely collapsed, even after that if they are thinking that they will come to power, I think it is nothing less than 'Mungeri Lal ke sapne'... Today, after so many days, they addressed the media. Where were they for so long? Today, Ashok Gehlot has come to Bihar after everything is over in the Mahagathbandhan. Where is Rahul Gandhi? Isn't it the responsibility of senior leaders to sit and sort things out maturely? This shows that the alliance that cannot keep its parties together – how will it keep the 14 crore people of Bihar together?" Paswan remarked.
Paswan further questioned the Mahagathbandhan’s ability to govern effectively, stating, "These people either don't know how to form an alliance or how to keep the alliance intact. The people of Bihar have understood that they are not going to give the state into their hands... The result that we saw in Haryana, the same result we are going to see in Bihar for Mahagathbandhan."
The Bihar Assembly elections are set to take place in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with the results scheduled to be announced on November 14. The political developments in the state continue to generate significant attention as both alliances vie for control in this crucial electoral battle.
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