Patna: As Bihar’s assembly elections heat up, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) is grappling with internal chaos, with allied parties fielding candidates against each other on no fewer than 13 seats.
Despite a seat-sharing agreement, the rift has exposed fractures within the coalition, particularly between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, whose nominees are locked in direct contests on multiple constituencies.
The political temperature in the state has soared, with leaders unleashing sharp statements and launching vigorous campaigns. However, the unresolved issue of withdrawing overlapping candidates has led to this unprecedented friendly fire. In places like Karghar, Bihar Sharif, Rajapakar, and Bachhwara, the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Congress hopefuls are pitted against one another. Similarly, RJD and Congress are clashing in Kahalgaon, Sikandra, Warisaliganj, Vaishali, and Narkatiaganj. Adding to the melee, Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) has challenged RJD in Gaura Bauram, Chainpur, and Babubarhi, while facing off against CPI in Jhanjharpur.
Senior journalist Dhruv Kumar attributes this discord to local pressures on parties. “Many outfits have traditionally contested all seats, and yielding ground irks grassroots workers,” he explains. “To preserve organisational strength, alliances sometimes break, forcing friendly fights that ultimately weaken the coalition. Whether big or small, every party craves more seats, creating such messy scenarios.”
This infighting could split votes and benefit rivals like the NDA, as the alliance struggles to present a united front ahead of polling.