Senior RJD neta, bro Tej object to Tejashwi’s ‘nayak’ poster
Patna: Not only the BJP but his own party’s national general secretary Abdul Bari Siddiqui took exception to projection of the INDIA bloc CM face Tejashwi Prasad Yadav as the hero of the people of Bihar, or, ‘jannayak’. While RJD posters with Tejashwi’s photograph, captioned “Bihar ka Nayak” have come up ahead of the assembly elections, he as well as Congress leader and LoP in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, were first called ‘jannayak’ during the recent ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in the state against the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.Siddiqui said it will take Tejashwi time and hard work to get the title of ‘Jannayak’, which is exclusively used for Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur, a socialist leader and former CM.“Tejashwi is currently doing politics based on his father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s legacy. He is the ‘virasat’ of Lalu Prasad’s politics and may get this honour after establishing himself by following the footsteps of his father and Thakur,” he said. BJP national office-bearer Rituraj Sinha also said the titles like ‘Jananayak’ and ‘Lokanayak’ are earned. “The public bestows these titles based on work and contributions. Thakur and Jayaprakash Narayan did such works because of which they were given the titles of ‘Jananayak’ and ‘Lokanayak’ respectively. Referring to Siddiqui’s statement, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said neither public nor his own colleagues have confidence in him. “Despite contesting elections for years, he has failed to earn people’s trust. Even within his circle, from RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui to Samajwadi Party MLA Ravidas Mehrotra, besides his brother Tej Pratap Yadav, no one sees him as a true leader. In reality, he is neither a people’s leader nor a capable leader; he is a villain of corruption, dynastic politics, criminalisation and jungle raj,” he said. Another BJP spokesman Ajay Alok said Tejashwi is not a ‘nayak’ (hero) but ‘nalayak’ (worthless). Tej Pratap also attacked Tejashwi and Rahul for being called ‘jannayak’ by their party supporters. “Calling yourself ‘jannayak’ doesn’t make you a people’s leader. Karpoori Thakur, Ram Manohar Lohia, Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi were the real ‘jannayak’. Rahul and Tejashwi are under the ‘chatrachaya’ (protection and patronage) of Lalu Prasad. If that protection is removed, they will be nothing,” Tej, the elder son of the RJD chief, said.Courtesy : TOINote: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar Elections: Rahul Gandhi to hold first rally on October 29th, Grand Alliance manifesto to be released tomorrow; Priyanka to also take charge soon
Bihar Assembly Election 2025 – The Congress is now ready to enter the Bihar Assembly elections with full force and strategy. Former party president Rahul Gandhi will address his first election rally in the state on October 29th. Priyanka Gandhi will also return from a two-day visit to Wayanad and will soon resume her campaign. Patna: The Congress is now preparing to enter the Bihar Assembly elections with full force. Rahul Gandhi will hold his first election rally in Bihar on October 29th, while Priyanka Gandhi will also return from a two-day visit to Wayanad and will soon join the campaign. According to Congress’s plan, Rahul Gandhi will hold a total of 12 rallies and Priyanka Gandhi will hold 10. Grand Alliance to release its manifesto on October 28th Just a day before, on October 28th, the Grand Alliance will release its manifesto. Rahul Gandhi’s first rally after the manifesto’s release will formally kick off the Grand Alliance’s campaign. Congress has fielded 40 star campaigners for the first phase of the campaign. These include party president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leaders Ashok Gehlot, KC Venugopal, Bhupesh Baghel, and many others. High Command Working to Calm Down Discontent Over Ticket Distribution The Congress high command has taken the lead in addressing the discontent that has emerged within the party over ticket distribution. Senior party leader and Bihar Election Observer Ashok Gehlot, Organization General Secretary KC Venugopal, and Election Screening Committee Chief Ajay Maken arrived in Patna late Saturday evening and reviewed the situation in a series of meetings. Several local leaders had alleged arbitrariness in ticket distribution and neglect of party workers. Party Working on a Special Strategy The Congress leadership wants to send a message of unity within the organization before Rahul and Priyanka’s rallies after Chhath Puja, so that the party can contest with full strength. Rahul Gandhi previously led a Voter Rights Yatra in Bihar, covering 110 assembly constituencies. The party is now working on a strategy to convert that public relations momentum into electoral energy. Edited by: Ravi Sinha About the Author Ravi Prakash Sinha is a senior journalist (Principal Digital Content Producer) at Navbharat Times Online. He has 25 years of experience covering current affairs, Jharkhand-Bihar politics, and ground reporting. Ravi Sinha has been with NBT (Digital) for the past three years. Courtesy: Hindi News
Bihar assembly elections: 56 days and counting – where is Rahul Gandhi?
NEW DELHI: When Rahul Gandhi set out under Bihar’s unforgiving August sun for his ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, it was a test of whether he could still find takers in a land where the Congress survives mostly as a fading afterimage. For 16 days, his campaign carved a noisy trail through dusty highways and crowded colonies. Today, however, as Bihar’s election heat rises and the state readies for a two-phase assembly poll, the buzz is dominated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fiery speeches, Amit Shah’s rallies, Tejashwi Yadav’s roadshows and Prashant Kishor’s groundwork. Amid all this, one voice remains missing – Rahul Gandhi. The Congress leaders’s last appearance in Bihar was nearly two months ago, when he wrapped up his yatra at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan on September 1. The campaign was pitched as a moral crusade to “protect the vote” – an attempt to awaken Bihar’s electorate against what he called ‘vote chori’ (theft of votes) by the ruling NDA. Over sixteen days, he covered 1,300 km across 25 districts and 110 assembly constituencies – riding motorbikes, donning ‘gamcha’ for local appeal, visiting makhana farmers – often joined by allies like Tejashwi Yadav, Hemant Soren and others. Rahul Gandhi's Voter Adhikar Yatra. But two months later, the narrative has shifted. Rahul, who had briefly stirred Congress’s dormant base through his yatra, seems to have lost the momentum. And instead of leading the charge from the front, its leader is missing in action. When the Mahagathbandhan announced Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate on October 23, the press conference banner carried only one face – Tejashwi’s. Rahul was missing, both on stage and in spirit. Within the alliance, the unspoken verdict seemed clear: he may be the face of opposition on the national level, but he was no longer its in-charge in Bihar. Though there has been no official seat-sharing arrangement, RJD is contesting 143 of the 243 seats of Bihar and Congress is contesting 61 seats. In the 2020 assembly elections, Congress had the worst strike rate in the opposition camp despite Tejashwi’s electrifying campaign that led RJD to emerge as the largest single party. Congress had contested 70 seats, the most in the opposition alliance after the RJD (144), and could win only 19. Pizza breaks and policy talk abroad Since his Patna rally, Rahul Gandhi has appeared in public only five times – none of them in Bihar. In late September, he was spotted at a pizza outlet in Gurugram. In early October, he travelled to Colombia, where he declared that “India’s democratic system is under attack from all sides.” During a talk at the University of Chile, he lamented that “free and scientific thinking” was under “tremendous attack” in India. On October 17, he visited singer Zubeen Garg’s village in Assam to pay tributes. Three days later, he was seen at a sweet shop in Old Delhi, rolling laddoos for the cameras. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, however, maintained that the party’s “full-throttle campaign” will begin only after the Chhath festival. Rahul Gandhi, he said, will tour Bihar on October 29 and 30, followed by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and party president Mallikarjun Kharge. A joint rally with Tejashwi is planned in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga. But will this late entry work? For the past month, while PM Modi, Amit Shah and JP Nadda have flooded Bihar with rallies and Tejashwi has built emotional momentum across districts, Congress has remained in political limbo. Rahul’s absence has left party candidates and workers scrambling for visibility and credibility on the ground. His re-entry, barely a week before Phase 1 polling on November 6, feels less like a strategy and more like irrelevance. For now, Congress is trying to make up for his absence by circulating old clips from the yatra, calling Rahul Gandhi the ‘Jan Nayak’ — the “hero of the people.” — INCIndia (@INCIndia) The crisis within the camp Adding to the drift is Congress’s own internal turmoil in Bihar. Ticket distribution had triggered open rebellion, with state leaders accusing AICC in-charge Krishna Allavaru of corruption and favouritism. Disgruntled members were seen protesting at the party headquarters. Their slogan, “Ticket chor, gaddi chhodd,” was an ironic echo of Rahul’s own “Vote chor, gaddi chhodd” taunt at the NDA government. The dissent underscores the deep disconnect between the central leadership and the local cadre, even at the last leg of the election campaign. In recent days, senior leaders like Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel were parachuted in to manage the fallout, both within the party and with allies like RJD. Hemant Soren, who walked with Rahul in Bihar in a show of strength, eventually walked out and decided not to contest elections. But through it all, Rahul has remained absent. BJP’s blitz Meanwhile, BJP has turned Bihar into a campaign battlefield. Prime Minister Modi has led from the front with rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai, urging voters to deliver a “record-breaking victory.” Home minister Amit Shah has addressed meetings in Siwan and Buxar, while BJP president JP Nadda has courted intellectuals in Vaishali. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has been roped in to hold over 20 rallies. The optics are unmistakable, a full-spectrum show of power and coordination. Rahul’s partner, Tejashwi Yadav, has also been a relentless presence on the ground, addressing multiple rallies a day. When asked about Rahul’s absence, he sidesteps diplomatically, but the contract remains too stark to miss. The Chhath countdown Even after literally no presence till now, Congress insists that its campaign will finally shift gears after Chhath Puja (October 27). The party’s manifesto, focusing on social justice and women’s welfare, is scheduled for release on October 28. He is scheduled to address his first political rally along with Tejashwi Yadav on October 29. The duo will hold a joint rally in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga. His late entry may well be planned. But ask any political pundit and they will tell you that in any election, presence on the ground matters the most, and
Bihar polls: Congress to launch campaign after Chhath Puja; set to address ticket distribution allegations
NEW DELHI: Congress will launch its Bihar election campaign immediately after Chhath Puja, intensifying efforts for the INDIA bloc with Rahul Gandhi leading the charge on October 29 and 30. Senior leaders Priyanka Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will also tour key constituencies across the state. Speaking to reporters Sunday, senior party leader KC Venugopal emphasised the momentum gained from the August Voter Adhikar Yatra, stating, “Our campaign will kick off right after Chhath Puja, with Rahul Gandhi’s visit on October 29 and 30. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge will also be actively touring Bihar to connect with voters.” The party is focused on fine-tuning campaign strategies and resolving internal challenges, particularly addressing allegations from some workers about ticket distribution irregularities. Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot acknowledged this issue but urged restraint, saying, “In every election, many aspire for tickets and get disappointed when those hopes aren’t fulfilled. I appeal to all party workers to hold back grievances until the elections conclude,” as quoted by PTI. Gehlot underscored the significance of the Bihar polls, calling them a “crucial contest” under national scrutiny. “The entire nation is watching Bihar, eager to see the arrogant BJP-led NDA defeated. This is a historic opportunity for us, and party workers must realize the pivotal role they play,” he said. The Election Commission has scheduled the Bihar Assembly elections across 243 seats in two phases — November 6 and November 11 — with vote counting slated for November 14, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Manjhi brands Lalu anti-dalit, praises CM
Madhepura: Union minister and HAM(S) founder Jitan Ram Manjhi on Saturday described RJD chief Lalu Prasad as anti-dalit, holding him responsible for dislodging him from the chief ministership of Bihar. Addressing an election rally in Singheshwar for NDA candidate Ramesh Rishideo, Manjhi alleged that Lalu orchestrated the withdrawal of support from 35 MLAs during his tenure. “Bihar was under a reign of terror during the Lalu couple’s regime. Kidnapping and crime were at their peak. Crime became a virtual industry, and ransom amounts were decided at the CM House,” Manjhi said. He praised CM Nitish Kumar for restoring law and order. “Phenomenal development has been achieved across every field. People now have continuous electricity, elders receive Rs 1,100 pension, and women benefit from Rs 10,000 for starting their own businesses,” Manjhi said. Acknowledging the role of PM Narendra Modi, Manjhi said, “His leadership has made India the fourth largest economic power, and we expect it to be a leading nation by 2047.” Union minister Nityanand Rai reiterated the NDA’s commitment to ‘Sab Ka Saath Sab Ka Vikas’, saying that Hindu-Muslim divisions have never been part of their agenda. He urged voters to support Rishideo. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit leader’s exit reveals RJD’s internal differences
Gaya: The unexpected exclusion of Makhdumpur MLA Satish Das from the RJD’s candidate list for the Magadh division has stirred unease within the party’s regional ranks. Das, a former Marxist who joined the RJD to champion social justice, is believed to have faced consequences for not aligning with the region’s most influential RJD leader, according to his supporters. Political circles are abuzz with reports that following the denial of ticket, prominent Dalit leader and Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad reached out to Das, offering him a ticket from his party. Dalit leader Ratan Lal also reportedly contacted Das to express solidarity, recognizing him as an emerging Dalit voice in the region. When asked about these developments, Das declined to confirm or deny the outreach. “What I can confirm is that I remain committed to the party and will continue advocating for the marginalised,” he stated. On speculation that Jehanabad MP Surendra Yadav played a role in his exclusion, Das refrained from naming persons but remarked that “neo-feudal” elements exist across parties and still struggle to accept Dalit assertiveness. Yadav did not respond to calls seeking his comment. Regarding whether he would campaign for Vishwanath Yadav, Surendra Yadav’s son and RJD candidate from Belaganj (a constituency bordering Makhdumpur), Das said he would follow the party leadership’s directives. Privately, several RJD leaders acknowledged that denying Das a ticket may have sent a negative message. Former MLA and senior RJD leader Vinod Kumar Yadavendu described the decision as unjustified. Although Subedar Das, the new RJD candidate for Makhdumpur, belongs to the same Dalit sub-caste, insiders believe the move signals a reluctance by mainstream parties to embrace Dalit empowerment. Adding to the concern is Satish Das’s broader appeal—he is also popular among minority communities and played a key role in the anti-CAA protests in Gaya during 2019–20, alongside Congress leader Omair Khan. While Khan has secured a ticket from Biharsharif, Das finds himself sidelined. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi missing from the Grand Alliance’s press conference poster, sparking discussions in political circles about showing Congress its place.
Bihar Elections: Pappu Yadav, speaking to the media, said that Rahul Gandhi’s picture should have been on the Grand Alliance’s poster. Meanwhile, only Tejashwi Yadav’s picture was visible at the Grand Alliance’s press conference. A controversy has erupted within the Grand Alliance over Lalu Prasad Yadav finally showing the Congress its place. Patna: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took a jab at the Congress in Bihar just hours before the Grand Alliance’s joint press conference in Patna on Thursday. The BJP attacked the Congress citing the absence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s picture from the press conference posters. Sources said the press conference was scheduled to formally announce Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav as the Grand Alliance’s chief ministerial candidate for the Bihar elections. However, before this crucial announcement, the BJP highlighted the RJD’s dominance within the Grand Alliance. BJP’s Sarcasm BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia compared Tejashwi Yadav to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb on this issue. Bhatia posted on X, “After Aurangzeb, now Tejaszeb! No other king was so insecure. The pictures of the national president, fodder scamster Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Rahul Gandhi are missing. The legacy of Jungle Raj and the status of the Congress are both missing from the poster.” He tweeted and tagged Tejashwi Yadav and other RJD and Congress leaders. Questions to the Congress Party BJP spokesperson Shahzad Poonawala posted on X, “Joint Press Conference? But only one picture. ‘Stealing the honor’ of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress. Has Congress and Rahul been shown their place?” It should be noted that Rahul Gandhi’s photo is missing from the poster, raising questions about what kind of alliance this is. The BJP has raised questions about the absence of a leader’s photo from the joint press conference. Meanwhile, Pappu Yadav has also taken a dig at the poster. Pappu Yadav’s Statement Independent MP Pappu Yadav’s statement on this issue added fuel to the fire when he said that votes would be cast on Gandhi’s photo. He said that voting would only be done on Rahul Gandhi’s photo, not anyone else’s. There should have been photos of all three alliance leaders. This is not right and will not send the right message. We can win Bihar only on the face of Rahul Gandhi. We have no other way to win here. Edited by: Ashutosh Kumar Pandey About the Author Ashutosh Kumar Pandey works for Navbharat Times Online. He has been active in digital, print, and electronic journalism for over 22 years. He specializes in digging into the past pages of politics and uncovering unheard stories. He presents political anecdotes in a witty manner. Courtesy: Hindi News
Congress has once again surrendered to the RJD. Why does the “Ekla Chalo” movement derail in Bihar? Understand this.
Bihar Election News: Ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, the Congress party, which had been adamant about its stand, has now suddenly backtracked. It has accepted Tejashwi Yadav’s leadership in Bihar. The question is, if the Congress is going to surrender, then why is it glaring? Patna: On October 23rd, something happened at Hotel Maurya in Patna that was not expected, at least this time. It was becoming clear that the Congress was ready to throw off the RJD’s crutches in the Bihar Assembly elections. But two days before October 23rd, the sudden entry of former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot changed the entire scenario. The changed scene on October 23rd On this day, the media received an invitation to a press conference. This invitation specifically came from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress. The time was set for 11:30 am. But the posters displayed outside and inside made one thing clear: Congress has once again surrendered to the RJD. We’re not saying this, but it’s being widely discussed in political circles. The buzz is so intense that even the average person in Patna is seen discussing the same thing at a tea stall or a Kachori stall. Congress has done it again. This time, it seemed, it would show its strength and demonstrate its power by separating from the RJD. But in the end, it failed again. Congress’s Surrender to the RJD These posters made one thing clear: Tejashwi Yadav would be the Grand Alliance’s CM candidate in Bihar. The same Tejashwi Yadav whose CM candidacy had been silent on the question of Rahul Gandhi during the Voter Rights Yatra. Following this, Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru also demonstrated the backbone of the Bihar Congress and refused to bow down to the RJD. But how did this sudden change of stance occur? Many stories are being fabricated about this. The first story: Lalu’s call! One story is that Congress had tried to woo the Left and VIP to make Tejashwi Yadav, or RJD, the younger brother of the alliance. But the shrewd Lalu Prasad Yadav realized that the less experienced Tejashwi Yadav had fallen into this trap. Therefore, Lalu Prasad Yadav must have spoken directly to Sonia Gandhi in Delhi and told her that if Congress had its way, he would field RJD candidates against all of her party’s candidates. This is why Ashok Gehlot was given the responsibility to resolve the matter. But in Patna, Lalu Yadav must have bluntly told Ashok Gehlot the same thing. Second Story – Congress Got Scared! Another story is that seeing RJD’s stubborn stance, Congress must have feared that if RJD’s votes were not transferred to Congress candidates out of anger, it would be a disaster. Therefore, it was best to handle the situation in a timely manner. That is why Ashok Gehlot himself had to come forward and admit in a press conference to all the parties in the Grand Alliance that the election would be fought on Tejashwi’s face. What Political Experts Say Patna’s renowned political expert and educationist, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, says, “Since 1990, Congress has never been able to muster the courage to strengthen its base. It has always proved itself dwarfed by the RJD. Naturally, its own workers become disillusioned and apathetic, and then they turn to other parties. The RJD understands this weakness of the Congress very well and always exploits it through pressure politics.” The RJD has been exploiting the Congress’s weaknesses from the very beginning. The real question: What is the matter? This was when the late Sitaram Kesri was the national president of the Congress. In the 1990s, Congress supported Lalu Prasad Yadav and helped him remain in power. After this, when Lalu Prasad Yadav split from the Janata Dal and formed the Rashtriya Janata Dal in 1997, Congress remained with him for power. It is said that in this way, Congress gradually alienated its base vote bank, which to this day has remained with it due to Lalu Yadav and has gone to the BJP. Authored by: Rishikesh Narayan Singh About the Author Rishikesh Narayan Singh is in charge of Bihar-Jharkhand for Navbharat Times Digital. His 20-year journey in journalism spanned from Janmat TV, IBN7, ETV Bihar-Jharkhand, News18 Bihar-Jharkhand, to Times Internet. After starting in the national capital, Delhi, he now works in Bihar. Courtesy: Hindi News
Bihar polls: Mahagathbandhan to release joint manifesto on October 28; Tejashwi, Rahul’s joint rallies planned
NEW DELHI: The opposition Mahagathbandhan will release its joint manifesto for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections on October 28 in Patna, news agency ANI reported quoting sources. According to ANI, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will also begin their campaign for the Bihar elections on October 28, after the Chhath Puja festival. Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav will also address joint rallies before the first phase of polling and later for constituencies voting in the second phase. This comes after the opposition INDIA bloc earlier in the day announced RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate for the Bihar polls. The move is aimed at ending internal differences and presenting a united front before the elections. Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, who has been in Patna since Wednesday to resolve disagreements with the RJD, said the decision was approved by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi. At a press conference, Gehlot said that Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahni and leaders from other communities will be made deputy chief ministers if the INDIA bloc forms the government in Bihar, “keeping in mind the complex social structure of Bihar.” “We have decided, after consultations with our national president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, besides all coalition partners who are here, to name Tejashwi Yadav ji as our chief ministerial candidate,” Gehlot said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar polls: Mukesh Sahani emerges as Mahagathbandhan’s wildcard; is Congress the weakest link?
NEW DELHI: The Mahagathbandhan on Thursday announced Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate and Mukesh Sahani as the deputy CM face ahead of the Bihar assembly elections. While Tejashwi’s candidature was widely expected, Sahani’s unexpected rise – from a one-time NDA ally often dismissed by rivals to a key power centre within the alliance has become the defining development, signalling a shift in the coalition’s caste arithmetic and leadership dynamics. Behind the show of unity, however, tensions simmer. As Sahani celebrates his political revival, Congress appears to be the uneasy partner in this new equation. Grassroots dissatisfaction over ticket distribution, coupled with its declining influence in seat-sharing talks, raises questions about whether the grand old party is losing ground within Bihar’s opposition bloc. Tejashwi formally declared CM face, Sahani named his deputy The Mahagathbandhan formally announced Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial face for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Alongside, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani was declared the alliance’s deputy chief ministerial candidate. The announcement, made during a joint press conference of alliance partners in Patna, ended weeks of speculation over leadership and marked a new phase of coordination within the opposition bloc. Senior Congress leader and election observer Ashok Gehlot said, “All of us sitting here have decided that in these elections, we support Tejashwi Yadav as the CM face.” He confirmed that the Mahagathbandhan would contest the upcoming polls in complete unity, adding that Sahani would serve as Tejashwi’s deputy if the alliance comes to power. Mukesh Sahani: From political exile to deputy CM face Mukesh Sahani’s recent elevation marks a remarkable political comeback. The Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) had originally been part of the Mahagathbandhan, but disagreements over seat-sharing—stemming from the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s reluctance to prioritise smaller allies—led Sahani to exit the coalition. He later joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and was allotted 11 seats in the 2020 Bihar elections. Although Sahani lost his own contest, his party managed to win four seats. Sahani was subsequently elected to the Bihar Legislative Council, albeit for a shorter term of one and a half years, which expired in July 2022. Once an NDA ally, Sahani faced political isolation after his fallout with the BJP. His decision to contest against the BJP in both the Bihar Legislative Council and Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections further marginalized him, with several VIP MLAs defecting to the BJP in 2022. In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh elections, Sahani announced plans to field 160 candidates to “oust the incumbent BJP government,” and in Bihar, he fielded 55 candidates against his former ally—but none won. Following these setbacks, a BJP MLA suggested that Sahani’s political chapter in Bihar was over, hinting at his removal as minister and even a potential internal coup within the VIP. Sahani also defied NDA seat-sharing arrangements in the Bihar Legislative Council elections, fielding seven candidates against the BJP once again. In 2025, however, Sahani has staged a political revival, now named the deputy chief ministerial candidate of the opposition bloc. Speaking to reporters in Patna ahead of the announcement, he appeared confident: “Why would I have a problem with anything? Can’t you tolerate so much happiness on my face? Mahagathbandhan is moving forward very strongly.” His elevation seems a calculated strategy by the Mahagathbandhan to consolidate Nishad (fishermen) votes and appeal to smaller caste groups that have drifted away from the major alliances. The support base for the Vikassheel Insaan Party consists mainly of the Nishad, Nonia, Bind, Beldar community, which comprises 20 sub-castes of fisherman and boatmen. It also signals social inclusivity — a card the RJD-led bloc has traditionally used effectively in Bihar’s caste-driven politics. Congress on shaky ground? While the alliance celebrated unity on stage, discontent brewed within the Congress. In recent weeks, several party workers have expressed anger over the ticket distribution process, alleging bias and manipulation by senior leaders in charge of Bihar affairs. Congress worker Munna Shahi told ANI, “Those whom Rahul Gandhi had entrusted and sent here are from the five-star hotel culture, and they don’t like to be brought down to poor ashrams here… We have only one demand, ‘ticket chor, gaddi chod’… The selection process has lost its basis. Only eye wash remains now.” After the Congress CEC meeting on Bihar polls, another worker said, “It was said that those people who will be on the screening committee, those who will have their online application will be given tickets. But a few leaders like Krishna Allavaru and Rajesh Ram are making women work hard and go from door to door but cheating them at the end. The promise made by Rahul Gandhi, to honour the youth and women is being broken by Krishna Allavaru. We, the Congress workers, will not stand it. Bihar will not accept it.” Interestingly, on Thursday elevating Congress also replaced Allavaru as Youth Congress chief and brought in Manish Sharma. The internal tensions in the recent weeks by local leaders point to a widening gap between the Congress high command and its state unit. This recurring issue has hurt the party’s performance in multiple states. The weakest link? The Mahagathbandhan’s recalibrated leadership matrix leaves the Congress in an uncomfortable spot. With the RJD holding the chief ministerial claim and the VIP now rewarded with the deputy slot, Congress finds itself without a distinct bargaining chip. Its performance in the 2020 polls, where it contested 70 seats but won only 19, has weakened its ability to negotiate. The current configuration suggests a more RJD-centric alliance, with Tejashwi and Sahani symbolising the blend of legacy and new social representation, while Congress remains peripheral. The joint manifesto of the Mahagathbandhan is set to be released on October 28, after Chhath Puja, with Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expected to join the campaign. However, unless it manages to address internal dissent and project a clear message, Congress could risk further erosion in Bihar’s evolving