News Brief
Bihar Polls: Tejashwi Yadav To Campaign Against RJD’s 'Own' Candidate Amid Mahagathbandhan Turmoil
RJD and Congress face internal disputes in Mahagathbandhan
Confusion within Bihar’s opposition bloc, the Mahagathbandhan, has taken a curious turn in Darbhanga district’s Gaura Bauram constituency, where Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav will be campaigning against a candidate contesting on his own party’s symbol.
The bizarre situation emerged after the Mahagathbandhan failed to resolve seat-sharing differences before the filing of nominations, NDTV reported.
Several allies are now locked in what they are calling “friendly fights” across multiple constituencies. But the Gaura Bauram episode has become the most striking example of the disarray.
Initially, RJD had decided to field Afzal Ali Khan from the seat and issued him the party’s lantern symbol and official documents.
However, before Afzal could begin his campaign, the RJD struck a last-minute deal with Mukesh Sahani’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), allocating Gaura Bauram to it. As part of the understanding, all alliance partners were expected to support VIP’s Santosh Sahni.
When asked to withdraw, Afzal Ali Khan refused to comply and went ahead to file his nomination under the RJD banner.
Though the party informed election authorities that his candidature was unauthorised, officials clarified that it could not be withdrawn as his nomination papers were valid.
The fiasco mirrors a similar episode during the Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan’s Banswara, when a Congress rebel also contested using the party’s symbol, splitting votes.
Meanwhile, the discord in Bihar’s opposition camp runs deeper. RJD and Congress will face each other on six seats, the CPI and Congress on four, and VIP against RJD on one. Political observers warn this infighting could hand the BJP-led NDA an edge.
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan criticised the alliance’s dysfunction, remarking, “There is nothing called friendly fight. Either you are friends or you are fighting against each other.”
Adding to the turmoil, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has announced it will sit out the Bihar polls altogether, citing “political cunningness” by the RJD after seat-sharing talks collapsed.
