The opposition Mahagathbandhan in Bihar has officially named Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani as one of its deputy chief ministerial candidates, alliance leader Ashok Gehlot announced on Thursday.

Gehlot also confirmed Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav as the alliance’s chief ministerial face, ending weeks of speculation about internal rifts and indecision within the bloc.

Sahani’s role and caste equation in Bihar polls

Mukesh Sahani, 44, often referred to as the ‘Son of Mallah’, is expected to consolidate support from the Mallah, Sahani, and Nishad communities, who together represent nearly nine per cent of Bihar’s electorate. His inclusion aims to strengthen the opposition’s caste arithmetic against the ruling NDA in next month’s assembly polls.

The Mallah community—part of the larger Nishad group—has a significant presence across Bihar, particularly in the Mithilanchal and Seemanchal regions. These riverine and fishing communities have traditionally influenced outcomes in several northern constituencies.

Gehlot hinted that more deputy chief ministerial names could be announced later to accommodate other influential leaders within the alliance.

Cracks within the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance in Jammu and Kashmir have widened just ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections. The Congress on Thursday skipped a joint legislative meeting called by NC chief Farooq Abdullah, accusing its ally of “betrayal” and sidelining it in the seat-sharing arrangement.

Congress declines NC’s offer, cites ‘unsafe seat’

The Congress had earlier opted out of both the Rajya Sabha race and the Nagrota Assembly bypoll, rejecting NC’s proposal in both cases. Tensions peaked when the NC announced three candidates for the four Rajya Sabha seats, leaving just one for the Congress — a seat the party described as “unsafe” based on its and the alliance’s strength in the Assembly.

Senior Congress leaders have alleged that the NC reneged on its assurance to Sonia Gandhi, who was promised one “safe seat” by Farooq Abdullah. The Congress, which has six MLAs in the Assembly, accused the NC of going back on that commitment.

Numbers game and looming vote

The current numbers in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly place the National Conference at 41 MLAs and the BJP at 28. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) holds three seats, while six independent legislators are backing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s government.
Given these figures, the NC is expected to comfortably win three seats, but the fourth — originally intended for the Congress — remains uncertain. The BJP has expressed confidence in clinching that seat.

The cracks in the alliance come as the Assembly session begins, posing a political test for Omar Abdullah, who has urged both the Congress and the PDP to unite in voting against the BJP’s candidate.

Ahead of the Mahagathbandhan’s crucial press conference in Patna — where Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav is likely to be named the alliance’s Chief Ministerial face — the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has mocked the Congress for Rahul Gandhi’s absence from the event’s posters.

The posters displayed ahead of the joint press meet feature only Tejashwi Yadav’s photograph, sparking political chatter. Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, who recently reached Patna to mediate seat-sharing tensions between the RJD and Congress, is expected to attend the press conference alongside Tejashwi Yadav. The allies are likely to present a united front after weeks of internal friction.

BJP’s ‘samman chori’ jibe

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took to social media to take a swipe at the Congress, writing, “Joint PC? But only one picture. Rahul Gandhi & Congress ka ‘samman chori’. Showed Congress & Rahul his place?” The term samman chori is a dig at Gandhi’s ‘vote chori’ campaign, under which the Congress accused the Election Commission of siding with the ruling BJP — a charge both the BJP and the poll body have denied.

Poonawalla also alleged that the RJD had “bullied and threatened” the Congress into accepting Tejashwi Yadav as the face of the alliance. “RJD gave a chilling threat, saying Congress would get zero seats if it didn’t agree,” he claimed.

He further added, “So much for Rahul’s macho man bravado… If alliance partners are threatened, imagine what will happen to the public.”

Alliance unity under strain

Seat-sharing talks between the RJD and Congress had earlier hit a deadlock, with both parties insisting on contesting overlapping constituencies. In some cases, both allies even announced candidates for the same seats — a situation that risked splitting opposition votes to the advantage of the BJP and JD(U).

To manage the crisis, Congress veteran Ashok Gehlot was rushed to Bihar to iron out the differences. Although alliance leaders now claim all disputes are resolved, some constituencies may still witness “friendly fights”.

In the 2020 Bihar Assembly election, RJD contested 144 seats and won 75, while the Congress fielded candidates in 70 constituencies and secured 19. For the upcoming polls, RJD has announced candidates for 143 seats, Congress for 59, Mukesh Sahani’s VIP may contest on 15, and the Left bloc — CPI(ML), CPM, and CPI — may share around 30.