As the Bihar Assembly elections draw near, the political atmosphere is heating up, with parties making strategic moves to gain an edge. The Congress party, a key constituent of the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), has released its first list of candidates for the upcoming polls. However, the seat-sharing arrangement within the Mahagathbandhan is yet to be finalized, adding a layer of complexity to the unfolding electoral scenario.
The Congress party's initial list includes 48 candidates, signaling a potential breakthrough in the seat-sharing negotiations within the Mahagathbandhan. Among the candidates, Bihar Congress State President Rajesh Ram will contest from the Kutumba assembly seat. Other notable candidates include Shakeel Ahmad, who will contest from Kadwa, and Bihar Youth Congress chief Prakash Garib Das, who has been fielded from Bachhwada. The list also includes Jayesh Mangal Singh from Bagaha, Amit Giri from Nautan, and Abhishek Ranjan from. Of the 48 candidates announced, three are women.
The announcement of candidates by the Congress party comes amidst ongoing discussions and negotiations within the Mahagathbandhan regarding seat allocation. Disagreements and demands from various alliance partners have contributed to the delay in finalizing the seat-sharing deal. For instance, Mukesh Sahani-led Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) had initially demanded 60 seats and the post of Deputy Chief Minister. However, recent reports suggest that Mr. Sahani has agreed to contest 18 seats, with 10 being allocated from RJD's quota. Congress is reportedly hesitant to cede 8 of its seats to VIP, causing some friction.
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has already completed the announcement of its candidates for all 243 constituencies in Bihar. The BJP has announced multiple lists of candidates, including Sanjay Pandey, Bharat Bind, and Murari Paswan.
As the deadline for nominations approaches, all eyes are on the Mahagathbandhan to see how they resolve their seat-sharing arrangement and present a united front against the NDA. The Election Commission is also expected to rectify any errors in the electoral rolls. The release of the first list of candidates by the Congress is a significant development, but the final outcome will depend on the Mahagathbandhan's ability to forge a cohesive strategy and address the concerns of all its constituents.
