The Opposition Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) in Bihar appears to be heading toward internal discord as key allies have failed to reach a consensus on seat-sharing ahead of the Assembly elections. The growing rift has already prompted the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) to announce they will contest independently — a move that has triggered sharp political reactions and widened fissures within the bloc.
The Mahagathbandhan, comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), has been unable to finalise its seat-sharing formula despite weeks of negotiations.
While the Congress has released two lists featuring 53 candidates, the RJD has yet to make its list official, though several of its nominees have already filed nominations in over 60 constituencies.
Amid the uncertainty, the JMM announced that it will field its own candidates in six constituencies — Chakai, Dhamdaha, Katoria (ST), Manihari (ST), Jamui, and Pirpainti (SC). JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya said more names could be added, accusing alliance partners of marginalising the party.
“There are contradictions within both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan. Infighting is visible across constituencies. Our workers have been ignored, and we’ve decided to contest independently. The JMM will emerge strong, and the next government in Bihar cannot be formed without our support,” Bhattacharya said.
The development drew an immediate reaction from the BJP, with its IT Cell chief Amit Malviya taking a swipe at the Opposition. “The JMM has announced its candidates and formally walked out of the Mahagathbandhan. Their decision to review ties in Jharkhand after the Bihar polls shows how Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav’s arrogance has broken the alliance. Bihar has been saved,” Malviya posted on social media platform X.
Adding to the turbulence, RLJP chief and Union minister Pashupati Kumar Paras also declared that his party would contest independently after alliance talks with the RJD-led bloc fell apart.
“I made every effort to join hands with the Mahagathbandhan, but the discussions didn’t yield results,” Paras said while announcing 33 RLJP candidates. The veteran leader, who has long represented the Hajipur parliamentary seat and earlier served multiple terms from Alauli, had reportedly sought at least three seats in the alliance.
With partners parting ways and overlapping nominations surfacing, the Mahagathbandhan now faces the prospect of “friendly fights” in multiple constituencies. In Lalganj, both Congress and RJD candidates are in the fray, while similar clashes have emerged in Kutumba, Sikandra, and Warsaliganj — where RJD’s Anita Devi and Congress’ Satish Kumar Singh are contesting against each other.
