The seat-sharing puzzle within Bihar's grand alliance remains unsolved as state elections approach. Tensions heighten between leading allies, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, with Tejashwi Yadav firm on his offer to Congress. Meanwhile, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has directed Bihar Congress leaders to drive a hard bargain. A crucial meeting of top leaders in Delhi ended inconclusively.
Sources indicate Tejashwi Yadav firmly told Congress leaders that the alliance cannot progress in the current scenario. He departed the meeting with an 'We'll see and respond' attitude and returned to Patna without meeting Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.
In Patna, Lalu Yadav began distributing RJD symbols even before finalizing the seat-sharing formula, similar to the Lok Sabha elections. However, upon Tejashwi’s arrival, symbols were recollected from those who had received them. Reports suggest RJD is ready to give Congress 61 seats but resists yielding certain strategic seats demanded by the grand old party.
The gridlock involves seats like Kahalgaon, Narkatiaganj, Warisaleganj, Chainpur, and Bachwara. Kahalgaon has been a Congress bastion, held nine times until 2015. Narkatiaganj, with its significant Muslim population, is vital for congressional interests due to social dynamics. In 2020, Congress narrowly lost Warisaleganj, while consensus remains elusive for most except Chainpur and Bachwara.
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Bihar Assembly opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav is also cautious about VKP and Mukesh Sahni’s activities. RJD insiders reveal Tejashwi questions Sahni's reliability, seeing his high demands as problematic. Tejashwi is reportedly unhappy with VKP due to its early symbol distribution across 10 crucial RJD seats, sparking confusion and rumors of Sahni lobbying with BJP.
Seat sharing tussle heats up the alliance, Congress offers 60 seats... Continued confusion between RJD and VIP
Recently, Rahul Gandhi met Bihar Congress leaders at 10 Janpath, directing them to drive seat negotiations. He instructed Bihar's Congress leadership to retain seats with winning potential and emphasize avoiding scenarios leading to substantial seat losses. Rahul's message was decisive: Whether 60 or otherwise, maintain critical seats.
Congress leaders discussed Bihar elections late into the night of October 13 in Delhi. With no favorable response from RJD, Congress prepared plan B. Bihar Congress leaders consulted Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal, asking the Congress president to engage with Tejashwi on the seats. Kharge advised them to connect with Tejashwi and resolve matters by October 14.
Congress proposed if VIP exits the alliance, their seats should exceed 65 minimum. Willing to settle for seats between 61 to 63, yet uncompromising on rejects or leftover seats. A senior Congress leader noted their identification of 51 strongholds where they trust a 50% strike rate, already endorsed by the central election committee.
