Bihar’s electoral battleground is heating up as the Congress party reveals its second list of candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections. This announcement has introduced fresh complications into the already strained seat-sharing negotiations within the Mahagathbandhan alliance. Shaswat Kedar Pandey will be the Congress candidate for Narkatiaganj, while Qamrul Hoda has been nominated for Kishanganj. The party also announced Irfan Alam, Jitender Yadav, and Mohan Shrivasta as its contenders for Kasba, Purnia, and Gaya Town, respectively.
The Mahagathbandhan alliance has recently faced a significant challenge with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) declaring its intention to contest six seats independently. JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya attributed this decision to strategic differences within the alliance. The JMM’s planned constituencies include Dhamdaha, Chakai, Katoria, Manihari, Jamui, and Pirpainti. These areas are notable for their proximity to Jharkhand and significant tribal populations.
Experts in political analysis believe that the JMM’s breakaway could negatively impact the Mahagathbandhan, particularly in constituencies near the Jharkhand border and those with a strong tribal voter base. The resulting fragmentation of votes could potentially benefit the NDA.
Despite the alliance’s internal flux, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera conveyed an optimistic outlook. He asserted that all internal matters within the Mahagathbandhan have been finalized and that official announcements will be made at the appropriate time, aiming to project a sense of order and finality.
Concurrently, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is projecting a strong and unified front. The alliance has successfully concluded seat-sharing agreements with its partners, including JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas), RLM, and HAM, and has commenced campaign preparations. A meeting between Chirag Paswan and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Patna focused on election strategy, signaling a coordinated and disciplined campaign effort.
With the election dates of November 6 and 11 approaching, Bihar is set for a high-stakes political contest. The results, scheduled for November 14, will determine the future political landscape of the state, amidst evolving alliances and intense electoral competition.