Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has officially been declared the Chief Ministerial candidate of the Mahagathbandhan for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Election 2025. Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot announced on Thursday during the INDIA bloc’s joint press conference in Patna.
Ashok Gehlot Confirms Alliance Unity
The announcement came a day after the Congress high command sent Ashok Gehlot to Patna to resolve internal tensions within the grand alliance. Gehlot met RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav at their residence amid reports of disagreements among allies over seat-sharing and “friendly fights” in some constituencies.
Gehlot, who serves as the Senior Election Observer for the All India Congress Committee (AICC), said the alliance remains strong and united. He assured that all differences have been sorted after he met with RJD leaders and Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru.
Who Backs Tejashwi Yadav for CM Face?
Earlier in the day, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Ram Naresh Pandey confirmed Tejashwi Yadav’s position as the alliance’s Chief Ministerial face.
He said, “All questions that are being raised are wrong. CM face of Mahagathbandhan is Tejashwi Yadav. So, any controversy on the poster is unnecessary. We are holding the press conference as a united front,” Pandey told ANI.
Seat-Sharing Tensions Resolved with Mahagathbandhan
The 2025 Bihar Assembly Election will see a major contest between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan. Reports earlier suggested tensions within the opposition alliance as more than one party had fielded candidates in around 12 constituencies.
However, Thursday’s announcement appears to have put an end to the confusion. Gehlot’s visit was seen as an effort to project unity among the INDIA bloc members and strengthen the alliance’s campaign.
Which are the Parties in the Grand Alliance?
The Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal, includes the Congress, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, and Mukesh Sahani’s Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP).
Allies have agreed to work together under the leadership of Tejashwi Yadav, focusing on youth employment, social justice, and development issues.
NDA Prepares for Contest
On the other side, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has finalized its seat-sharing formula. The NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha.
With both alliances now ready, Bihar’s 2025 election battle is set to be a high-stakes political contest between the NDA and Mahagathbandhan, with Tejashwi Yadav leading the opposition charge.
