As the Bihar assembly elections draw closer, the Mahagathbandhan is struggling to finalize seat-sharing arrangements. The Congress and RJD are in conflict over the allocation of seats. The Left parties, including the CPI and CPI(M), have intensified their demands for a quick resolution, cautioning that any delay could negatively impact the alliance. The CPI is seeking 24 seats, while the CPI(M) is requesting 11, amounting to a total of 35 seats. The CPI-ML-Liberation, a significant Left party, has put forth a claim for 40 seats and presented a list to the alliance coordinator.
The increasing demands from the Left parties, coupled with those of Mukesh Sahani’s VIP, have intensified the challenges for Tejashwi Yadav. The Grand Alliance, consisting of the RJD, Congress, and other Left parties, narrowly missed securing a majority in the previous election, obtaining 110 seats out of 243. Mukesh Sahani’s VIP is also demanding more seats and a Deputy CM position, complicating the seat distribution further. The Congress and RJD are reportedly considering allocating around a dozen seats to the VIP.
The alliance is diligently working on candidate selection, with a focus on individuals who possess a deep understanding of the ground realities. The Congress is also planning to increase its representation of OBC communities. The number of Muslim candidates is also expected to increase.