The upcoming Bihar assembly elections have triggered a significant hurdle for the Mahagathbandhan as disagreements over seat allocation persist. The Congress and RJD are struggling to find common ground, while the demands of various parties, including the Left and Mukesh Sahani’s VIP, are escalating tensions. The CPI and CPI(M) have pressed for an early seat-sharing agreement, warning that delays could hurt the alliance’s chances. CPI has requested 24 seats, and CPI(M) has sought 11, collectively asking for 35 seats. CPI-ML-Liberation, a prominent Left party, has already laid claim to 40 seats. The combined demands from these parties could potentially reach 75 seats.
The RJD, Congress, and other Left parties are facing challenges with the seat-sharing formula. The VIP, led by Mukesh Sahani, is also pressing for more seats and a Deputy CM position. Reports indicate that the Congress and RJD might concede a number of seats to accommodate VIP. The alliance is carefully analyzing the previous election results, particularly focusing on constituencies where it fell short. They are evaluating defeat margins and caste demographics to make informed decisions.
Both the Congress and RJD acknowledge that the number of seats they contest will be fewer compared to the previous election. The alliance aims to balance representation across all communities. The focus is on selecting candidates who are well-versed with ground realities. Additionally, the Congress is planning to enhance OBC representation, and the count of Muslim candidates is also expected to rise.