Bihar Mahagathbandhan Faces Seat-Sharing Deadlock as Congress and RJD Stand Firm

Seat-sharing talks between the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar have hit a deadlock ahead of the state Assembly elections, with both parties refusing to compromise on their demands. Congress leaders, following directions from Rahul Gandhi, have been bargaining firmly, while RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav has maintained a strict stance, creating uncertainty within the opposition Mahagathbandhan alliance. A critical meeting in Delhi between senior Congress leaders and Tejashwi Yadav ended without agreement. Sources said Tejashwi informed the Congress team that the alliance could not move forward under the current conditions. Congress has insisted on securing between 61 and 63 seats, aiming to retain key constituencies such as Kahalgaon, Narkatiyaganj, and Vasaliganj, while discussions also included Chainpur and Bachwara. RJD has agreed to the overall number of seats but has resisted giving up these specific areas. After the Delhi talks, Tejashwi returned to Patna without meeting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge or Rahul Gandhi, saying he would review the situation and respond later. Tensions have also been fueled by the actions of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and its chief, Mukesh Sahni. Tejashwi claimed that Sahni distributed party symbols for around 10 seats that were meant for RJD, causing confusion. Congress leaders clarified that decisions on VIP’s participation are up to Tejashwi and that Congress would follow RJD’s lead on the matter.Rahul Gandhi’s instructions to Congress negotiators emphasized that they should “play well and drive a hard bargain” and prioritize retaining stronghold seats rather than compromising for overall numbers. Late-night strategy sessions have become common as the talks drag on, with Bihar Congress leaders seeking direct intervention from party president Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal to resolve the dispute. Kharge advised them to negotiate directly with Tejashwi Yadav and aim to conclude talks by Tuesday. Meanwhile, in Patna, Lalu Prasad Yadav reportedly distributed RJD candidate symbols at Rabri Devi’s residence during stalled Delhi discussions. Upon Tejashwi’s return, the symbols were withdrawn, a move that reportedly displeased Congress negotiators. In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, Congress contested 70 seats and won 19, while RJD emerged as the largest party with 75 seats. This time, the 243-member Assembly elections are scheduled for November 6 and 11, with counting on November 14. Analysts say that delays in seat-sharing decisions and internal conflicts could impact the Mahagathbandhan’s preparation and electoral strategy. As both parties remain firm, political observers note that resolving the dispute quickly will be crucial to maintaining unity and presenting a strong challenge in the upcoming elections. Congress is focused on securing winnable constituencies, while RJD seeks to preserve its key strongholds, leaving the alliance at an uncertain crossroads just weeks before voters head to the polls.