Political parties in Bihar are gearing up for the upcoming assembly elections. The Grand Alliance, led by the RJD and Congress, is intensifying its campaign against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Before the elections, Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition, held meetings with the coalition partners and announced an ‘August Kranti’ initiative, planning rallies with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to criticize the Nitish Kumar government and target the BJP. However, Mukesh Sahani, the leader of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), was notably absent from these meetings.
Sahani’s recent statements are raising concerns within the Grand Alliance, as disagreements over seat distribution become apparent. While Tejashwi Yadav downplays these differences, the RJD has initiated preliminary discussions on seat allocation. Following the latest meeting, Tejashwi Yadav stated that all allies have submitted their preferred seat lists, expressing confidence in a smooth resolution.
However, Mukesh Sahani’s continued assertiveness is causing challenges. He insists that his party will contest 60 seats, with the remaining seats allocated to other alliance partners. Adding to the complexity, Sahani has demanded the Deputy Chief Minister’s post, claiming it would be a matter of pride for his community. He stated he would prefer to be the groom, not a wedding guest. These demands are scrutinized, particularly as the VIP currently holds no seats in the assembly, with its four MLAs having defected to the BJP.
Previously, in the 2020 elections, Sahani had sought 25 seats and the Deputy CM post, later joining the NDA after his demands weren’t met. He received 11 seats from the BJP. Although his party won four seats, his relationship with the Nitish Kumar government soured, leading to his MLAs joining the BJP. Now, his demands before the elections are a headache for the Grand Alliance. Analysts suggest that such demands could disrupt the alliance’s internal balance, potentially leading to similar requests from smaller parties.
The RJD is the largest party in the alliance. In the 2020 elections, it contested 144 seats, winning 75. The Congress, which contested 70 seats in 2020 and won 19, is reportedly seeking approximately 50 seats this time. The Congress has formed a committee led by senior leader Ajay Maken to strategize, though the party hasn’t declared Tejashwi Yadav as its CM face. Meanwhile, the CPI, CPI(ML), and other Left parties have also put forward their demands.