A Long-Awaited Decision
After weeks of negotiations and political maneuvering, Tejashwi Yadav has been officially declared the Chief Ministerial candidate of Bihar’s Opposition alliance, the Mahagathbandhan, for the 2025 Assembly elections. The announcement, made at a packed press conference in Patna on October 22, 2025, saw leaders from RJD, Congress, CPI(ML)-Liberation, CPI, CPM, and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) present a united front, signaling cohesion after a period of speculation and internal differences.
Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot formally confirmed the decision, bringing an end to weeks of behind-the-scenes wrangling over seat-sharing and leadership questions. “After due consultations with all partners, the Mahagathbandhan has unanimously decided to project Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial face,” Gehlot said, highlighting the alliance’s collective commitment to Bihar’s governance.
A United Opposition Front
The press conference also revealed VIP chief Mukesh Sahani as one of the Deputy Chief Ministerial candidates, representing the influential Nishad community, a key voter base in Bihar’s eastern and northern districts. Anchored around Tejashwi’s RJD, the Mahagathbandhan now presents one of the most cohesive opposition platforms since 2015, aiming to challenge the incumbent NDA government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the BJP.
Tejashwi, 35, emphasized his agenda in his address: “We are not here just to form a government; we are here to rebuild Bihar.” Promising to focus on employment, farming reforms, education, and healthcare, he projected a vision of a “new Bihar powered by youth and opportunity.”
The 243-member Bihar Assembly will go to polls in two phases, November 6 and November 11, with results slated for November 14.
Behind-the-Scenes Power Struggles
Tejashwi’s formal endorsement came after intense discussions over seat allocation, which had stalled the announcement for nearly two weeks. The proposed distribution sees RJD contesting 143 seats, Congress 61, Left parties 30, and VIP 15, though several constituencies witnessed overlapping claims, requiring last-minute negotiations.
Congress trouble-shooter Ashok Gehlot’s arrival in Patna proved decisive in reconciling differences among alliance partners. His meetings with Lalu Prasad Yadav, RJD patriarch, and Left leaders helped resolve disputes and prevent potential fragmentation, especially amid speculation that Rahul Gandhi might skip the initial campaign phase, a rumor that drew BJP criticism.
NDA’s Countermove
Meanwhile, the NDA finalized its seat-sharing arrangement: BJP and JD(U) 101 seats each, LJP 29, and HAM and RLM six each. BJP leaders criticized the opposition alliance as a “coalition of confusion,” accusing it of prioritizing personal ambitions over governance.
Political analysts, however, suggest Tejashwi’s formal endorsement provides the Mahagathbandhan a morale boost, offering clarity on leadership at a time when voters were questioning the alliance’s coherence. His reputation for reviving RJD’s youth base in 2020 is seen as a critical advantage against Nitish Kumar’s long-standing incumbency.
Looking Ahead: Symbolism and Stakes
The Mahagathbandhan is set to release its manifesto on October 28 in Patna, with Rahul Gandhi, Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Tejashwi addressing a joint public gathering, reinforcing alliance unity.
For Tejashwi, the election carries symbolic significance: a victory would make him Bihar’s youngest-ever Chief Minister, continuing the Yadav family legacy while positioning RJD as a party advocating progressive governance over traditional caste-based politics.
As Bihar approaches polling day, the announcement has energized the political landscape, setting the stage for a high-stakes Tejashwi vs. Nitish contest that could reshape the state’s political future.
(With agency inputs)
