RJD-Congress Rift Deepens in Bihar, Lalu Family Flies to Delhi
RJD's first family seeks Rahul Gandhi's help amid chaos.
The INDIA bloc in Bihar is teetering on the edge of disarray as seat-sharing talks hit a wall, with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and son Tejashwi Yadav jetting off to Delhi on October 12, 2025, in a bid to salvage their alliance. The trio’s sudden departure has sparked speculation of a rift with Congress, as the RJD’s “first family” reportedly seeks Rahul Gandhi’s intervention to resolve mounting tensions.
At Patna airport, Lalu and Rabri sidestepped journalists’ questions, but Tejashwi, eyeing Bihar’s top post once held by his parents, offered a cryptic “all is well.” Sources suggest Congress’s aggressive push for a larger seat share in the 243-member Bihar Assembly elections, set for November 6 and 11, has irked the RJD, which dominates the Mahagathbandhan coalition alongside Left parties and smaller allies. The Delhi dash underscores the urgency to iron out disputes before the campaign loses steam.
Adding to the turbulence, an FIR was filed on October 12 against Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor for allegedly breaching the Model Code of Conduct during a high-profile campaign event in Tejashwi’s Raghopur constituency on October 11. Kishor’s bold challenge on RJD turf, coupled with his party’s early announcement of 51 candidates, has intensified the electoral heat, threatening both the INDIA bloc and the BJP-led NDA.
Also Read: RJD Gains Momentum as Key JD(U) Leaders Switch Allegiance
Speaking of the NDA, Bihar BJP chief Dilip Jaiswal announced on October 11 that their seat-sharing pact with allies—Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha—would be finalized by October 12. This move signals the NDA’s intent to present a united front, contrasting sharply with the INDIA bloc’s public squabbles.
As Bihar braces for a high-stakes electoral showdown, with vote counting slated for November 14, the INDIA bloc’s internal chaos could prove costly. Meanwhile, Congress’s recent 42-page “chargesheet” against Nitish Kumar’s government, branding the polls a “national” battle, adds a broader dimension to the state’s fierce political saga.
Also Read: Seat-Sharing Deadlock Pushes RJD-Congress Alliance Toward Breakdown
