The Mahagathbandhan on Thursday officially declared RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, putting an end to speculation and internal discussions within the Opposition alliance. The bloc also named Mukesh Sahani, leader of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), as its deputy chief minister candidate to attract support from the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs).
Mahagathbandhan backs Tejashwi Yadav for Bihar CM post
The announcement was made in Patna during a joint press conference by Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, who praised Tejashwi’s leadership and youth appeal. “All of us here have decided that in these elections, we will promote Tejashwi Yadav as the next chief minister. He is young, committed and has a long career ahead,” Gehlot said.
Tejashwi’s nomination marks a significant step for the Opposition alliance, which has struggled to finalise seat-sharing arrangements. While the coalition did not release an official seat-sharing list, leaders claimed an internal understanding had been reached to avoid clashes in key constituencies.
Mukesh Sahani named deputy CM candidate
Gehlot also announced Mukesh Sahani, an influential EBC leader and head of the VIP, as the alliance’s deputy chief minister pick. Sahani, who represents the Mallah (boatmen and fishermen) community, has strong support in north Bihar.
“More deputy chief ministers from deprived communities will be considered if the Mahagathbandhan comes to power,” Gehlot added, contrasting this with the NDA government, which currently has two BJP deputy chief ministers.
Alliance challenges NDA over Nitish Kumar’s future
Both Gehlot and Tejashwi Yadav questioned the BJP’s commitment to Nitish Kumar as chief minister. Gehlot asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to clarify if the NDA would retain Nitish after the elections, citing the Maharashtra example where Eknath Shinde was replaced by BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis.
Tejashwi echoed the attack, saying, “We have been saying that the BJP will not make Nitishji the CM of Bihar. This is his last election and Amit Shah has made it clear.”
Sahani’s rise and the EBC equation
Sahani’s inclusion surprised many within the RJD, which had initially opposed his elevation. His party is contesting only 15 of the 243 seats, but his influence among the EBCs makes him a valuable ally. The EBC vote, divided among more than 100 castes, is expected to play a decisive role in this election.
Sahani expressed gratitude to the alliance, recalling his support for Nitish in 2020. “Had it not been for us, Nitish Kumar would not have become chief minister,” he said, accusing the BJP of trying to split his party after the last polls.
Tejashwi’s message of change
At the press conference, Tejashwi projected himself as a next-generation leader ready to transform Bihar. “I don’t want five years. Give me just 20 months and I will do what the NDA hasn’t in 20 years,” he said.
He pledged zero tolerance for corruption and crime, attempting to distance himself from the tainted image of his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav.
However, the BJP quickly hit back, with MP Ravi Shankar Prasad calling Tejashwi’s remarks ironic, pointing out Lalu’s conviction in multiple fodder scam cases and Tejashwi’s own pending case.
Seat adjustments and friendly fights
Thursday, the last day for nomination withdrawals for the second phase of polling on November 11, saw Congress and VIP candidates withdraw from Warsliganj and Babubarhi respectively, avoiding direct clashes with the RJD. Yet, at least nine constituencies still have more than one Mahagathbandhan candidate.
A Congress leader said that where withdrawals were no longer possible, one ally’s candidate would publicly withdraw support to prevent confusion among voters.
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