Strained negotiations over seat distribution and chief ministerial projection are causing friction between the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal within the Mahagathbandhan alliance as the Bihar Assembly elections approach. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has declared that his party intends to contest all 243 constituencies, a move that threatens to deepen divides among coalition partners.
Congress leaders are demanding at least 70 seats—matching the number they contested in 2020—with a portion classified as “good” seats where victory is believable. They are resisting being assigned seats where the party historically performed poorly or had weak presence. Meanwhile, RJD, as the dominant force in the alliance, appears unwilling to concede too much ground, emphasising its claim to lead the coalition both in tally of seats and as chief ministerial contender.
Alliance partners such as the Vikassheel Insaan Party, the Left parties ), as well as recently inducted groups like Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party, are also pressing for allocations—some arguing that the expansion of Mahagathbandhan should reflect in a redistribution of seats. Several parties emphasise that a balance must be maintained between ‘winnable’ seats and those given merely to accommodate allies, warning that lopsided distributions could risk electoral backlash.
Tejashwi Yadav’s proposal that the RJD contest in all 243 seats is being interpreted by others as a pressure tactic to force Congress and smaller allies into concessions. For Congress this raises concerns not just about seat counts but about being sidelined in the leadership narrative, especially as the question of CM face remains unresolved.
The Mahagathbandhan’s leadership structure is under scrutiny. Congress has publicly avoided explicitly backing Tejashwi as the CM face, which is fuelling speculation about internal alignment and who may project leadership in the campaign. RJD insists its dominant role merits a claim to that post. Grassroots units within Congress have expressed unease over being assigned constituencies where prior performance has been weak—assignments that would theoretically reduce their chances of securing seats or influence.
As seat-sharing talks stretch, the opposition’s public outreach efforts have continued apace. RJD has launched its Bihar Adhikar Yatra to mobilise at the local level, while Congress has stepped up events highlighting accountability and voter rights. These activities are being watched closely by other parties in the alliance who view the campaign momentum as bargaining power.
