As the Opposition alliance in Bihar remains deadlocked over seat-sharing ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge spoke directly to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav in a bid to resolve the impasse, sources said. The parties are aiming to finalise a deal for the high-stakes battle.
With the crucial first phase of nominations already underway and the deadline fast approaching, the inability of key allies—the RJD and Congress—to reach a consensus has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the unity of the grand alliance.
Sources indicate that the primary contention revolves around the number of seats allocated to Congress and disagreement over a few traditional stronghold constituencies.
The outcome of the telephonic discussion is still awaited.
Initially, the RJD had offered Congress 52 seats, which the party rejected, insisting on 60 constituencies. Talks between state-level Congress leaders and the RJD were reportedly suspended, shifting the spotlight to discussions between the national leadership of both parties.
The RJD, however, is said to have agreed to meet Congress’s demand for 61 seats while resisting parting with certain key constituencies that Congress insisted on. The party has been firm on retaining seats such as Kahalgaon, a stronghold, alongside Narkatiyaganj and Vasaliganj. Other constituencies, including Chainpur and Bachwara, were also discussed but considered less contentious.
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Earlier, Congress had reportedly adopted an aggressive stance, believing that Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Adhikar Yatra had boosted its prospects in the state, where it has long been considered a spent force. However, the party appeared to soften its position later.
According to unconfirmed reports, Congress has agreed to settle for 61 seats, nine fewer than the 70 it contested in 2020, when it won only 19. The RJD is expected to get the lion’s share of seats, although it may contest fewer than in the previous election, when 75 of its 144 candidates won. Left allies, including CPI(ML) Liberation, CPI(M), and CPI, as well as former state minister Mukesh Sahani, are expected to be accommodated in the remaining seats of the 243-member assembly.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday night, the Congress released its first list of candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections, even before finalising the seat-sharing arrangement. The move comes as RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav filed his nomination from the Raghopur assembly seat on Wednesday.
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