The Mahagathbandhan alliance has reached a consensus to project Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial face for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, according to RJD sources.
All constituents of the alliance have reportedly endorsed Tejashwi’s leadership, and a formal announcement is expected later on Wednesday. The coalition is also preparing to unveil its campaign slogan under his leadership “Chalo Bihar, Badlein Bihar” (Let’s go Bihar, Let’s change Bihar).
The decision comes as the deadline for withdrawal of nominations ends, following intense seat-sharing negotiations among alliance partners that stretched into the final hours.
In a last-minute effort to resolve the standoff, senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot arrived in Patna on Wednesday to mediate between the parties.
Upon arrival, Gehlot met RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son, Tejashwi Yadav, to ease tensions within the alliance, which includes the RJD, Congress, and several smaller parties. The coalition has been grappling with disagreements over roughly a dozen seats.
“Today, I had a fruitful election discussion with the respected former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Ashok Gehlot,” Tejashwi Yadav wrote on X, sharing pictures from their meeting.
Speaking to reporters after the talks, Gehlot dismissed speculation of deep divisions within the alliance, saying that in a 243-seat assembly, “friendly fights” over a few seats were not unusual.
Seat-sharing disputes persist in about a dozen constituencies. In first-phase seats such as Bachhwara, Rajapakar, and Bihar Sharif, the withdrawal window has already closed.
However, the Congress has withdrawn its candidate from Lalganj, while agreements have been reached in Pranpur (Katihar) and other constituencies to ensure single candidates represent the alliance.
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The RJD released its list of 143 candidates on Monday, while the Congress has announced 61. The two allies are coordinating their final lists ahead of the first phase of polling on November 6. Despite efforts to avoid clashes, the parties will face each other directly in six constituencies.
Amid the political manoeuvring, the RJD has intensified its outreach to women voters. Tejashwi Yadav announced that, if elected, his government would offer permanent jobs to Jeevika Didi community mobilisers, providing a monthly salary of Rs 30,000 to around 1.5 lakh mobilisers out of the total 1.5 crore Jeevika Didis.
He further pledged that loans given to these women would be waived, interest-free loans would be extended for up to two years, and insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh would be provided. Tejashwi also promised to make the jobs of contract workers permanent under an RJD-led government.
Meanwhile, the Congress is facing growing unrest within its Bihar unit over ticket distribution. Several party leaders have alleged corruption in the process, accusing Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru and state president Rajesh Ram of selling tickets.
Disgruntled leaders are planning to stage a protest at the party’s state headquarters, Sadakat Ashram, on Thursday, adding to the internal discord as the Mahagathbandhan strives to present a united front ahead of the polls.
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