NEW DELHI: Leaders from the opposition Mahagathbandhan alliance in poll-bound Bihar announced that their seat-sharing formula will be revealed “within a couple of days,” as they work through a few remaining issues. This decision emerged from a meeting held at the residence of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is the alliance’s prospective chief ministerial candidate.
Vikassheel Insan Party president Mukesh Sahani, who joined the alliance after breaking ties with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), stated to reporters, “All things have been finalised. But, please excuse me from divulging the details. We shall announce everything at a press conference… the day after tomorrow,” as reported by news agency PTI. Sahani, who was previously a minister in the Nitish Kumar government despite losing his own assembly seat in 2020, indicated confidence in the progress being made.
RJD national general secretary Alok Mehta was more cautious, noting, “Most things have been discussed. A few issues remain to be sorted out. But, all would be final in two days and we will announce everything at a press conference.” Prior to the meeting, Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar and AICC in-charge Krishna Allavaru highlighted that the key topics for discussion would center on “seat-sharing” and “prospective candidates.”
The meeting coincided with a visit from a team of the Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who concluded a two-day review of Bihar’s electoral preparedness. Kumar informed reporters that the election process would be completed before November 22, the date on which the current assembly’s term ends. The upcoming Bihar assembly elections are anticipated to be a direct contest between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan.