Opposition Leaders Unite: Crucial Bihar Assembly Seat-Sharing Talks Underway

A pivotal meeting between Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and senior Congress figures Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge is scheduled for Monday in New Delhi. The discussions aim to finalize seat-sharing arrangements among the Opposition INDIA bloc allies ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, amid mounting anticipation for a unified front against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The Bihar elections, a cornerstone of Indian politics given the state's influence on national dynamics, are set for two phases on November 6 and 11, with vote counting on November 14. Nominations for the first phase are already in progress, intensifying the urgency for the bloc to announce its candidates. The INDIA alliance, formed in 2023 to challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA, seeks to consolidate its position in Bihar, where RJD and Congress have historically vied for dominance within the opposition space.

Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani, en route to Delhi from Patna on Sunday, attributed delays in the seat allocation announcement to "technical issues" but expressed confidence in an imminent resolution. "I have been asked to come to Delhi for the proposed meeting slated for Monday. Once the issues are resolved, the announcement on seat allocation will be made," Sahani stated, underscoring the bloc's commitment to contesting unitedly.

Lalu Prasad, departing for the capital, reiterated that "seat-sharing talks are underway" and a declaration would follow soon. However, the visit carries dual significance: Lalu, his wife Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi are also required to appear before a Delhi court on Monday in connection with the ongoing railways land-for-jobs scam case, a long-running legal battle that has shadowed the Yadav family.

Tejashwi dismissed speculation on the trip's political motives, quipping to reporters, "We have been summoned by the court in Delhi. You (media) have got ‘masala’ and run it the whole day," while evading direct questions on the seat deal. This convergence of judicial and electoral imperatives highlights the complex interplay of law and politics in Bihar's high-stakes electoral landscape.

Also Read: RJD-Congress Rift Deepens in Bihar, Lalu Family Flies to Delhi

Adding to the pre-election buzz, two RJD MLAs—Vibha Devi from Nawada and Prakash Veer from Rajauli—submitted their resignations to Assembly Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav on Sunday. Sources indicate the duo, including Vibha Devi, wife of former MLA Raj Ballabh Prasad, may join the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) and contest from their seats under the NDA banner.

Such defections, common in Bihar's fluid political alliances, could reshape constituency dynamics and test the INDIA bloc's cohesion. As Delhi's deliberations unfold, the outcome will be closely watched, potentially setting the tone for a fiercely contested poll that could redefine Bihar's power equations.

Also Read: RJD Gains Momentum as Key JD(U) Leaders Switch Allegiance