As the Bihar Assembly elections draw near, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc finds itself grappling with internal strife, with allied parties Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Indian National Congress (Congress) locked in "friendly fights" across at least five constituencies. More than 11 constituencies are expected to witness alliance partners competing against each other, highlighting the challenges in seat sharing and coordination within the coalition.

The failure of the Grand Alliance in Bihar to achieve consensus on seat sharing has resulted in direct contests in multiple constituencies, exposing the deepening discord among the opposition partners. Despite numerous meetings and negotiations, coordination between the RJD, Congress, and Left parties appears fractured. The overlapping nominations indicate internal rivalries that could potentially weaken the alliance's electoral prospects in key constituencies.

The RJD's release of its list of 143 candidates on Monday, included six seats where the Congress has also fielded candidates, clarifying the extent of the clashes. These overlapping constituencies include Vaishali, Sikandra, Kahalgaon, Sultanganj, Narkatiaganj, and Warsaliganj. Furthermore, the Communist Party of India (CPI) and Congress are set to face each other in Bachhwara, Rajapakar, Bihar Sharif, and Karghar, revealing another layer of internal conflict within the opposition camp. Mukesh Sahani's Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and the RJD will also clash on two seats: Chainpur and Babubarhi.

The situation has invited criticism from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan stating that the seat sharing disputes within the INDIA bloc will benefit NDA candidates in the upcoming elections.

Adding to the political drama, Mahua is poised to witness a high-stakes contest where the RJD has fielded Mukesh Raushan against Lalu Prasad Yadav's estranged elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav. Tej Pratap, who was expelled from the RJD earlier in the year, has since floated his own outfit, the Janshakti Janata Dal.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), a key ally of the INDIA bloc and the ruling party of Jharkhand, has announced its decision to leave the alliance and withdraw from the election, protesting against the allegedly raw deal it has been dealt. The party has accused its INDIA bloc partners the RJD and the Congress of a "political conspiracy" that has led to it being deprived from seats as part of the Mahagathbandhan coalition in Bihar.

While the RJD is contesting 143 seats and Congress is expected to contest 61, the CPI-ML is contesting 20. The remaining constituencies in the 243-seat contest are likely to go to Mukesh Sahani's VIP, as per an informal arrangement.

The lack of coordination has led to INDIA bloc partners fielding rival candidates in at least 11 constituencies, including Vaishali, Tarapur, Bachhwara, Gaura Bauram, Lalganj, Kahalgaon, Rajapakar, Rosera, Bihar Sharif, Warasalinganj, and Bisfi.

Amid the seat-sharing conflict, another hurdle remains: the chief ministerial face of the alliance. While the RJD is pushing for Tejashwi Yadav as the CM candidate, the Congress and CPI-ML remain non-committal.

Despite the internal disputes, efforts are underway to persuade the Congress and JMM to agree to contest fewer seats than initially demanded. The Congress is expected to settle for around 60 seats, while efforts are on to persuade the JMM to contest only three.

Some candidates have withdrawn their nominations to ease the conflict. Congress candidate Aditya Kumar withdrew his nomination from Lalganj seat, in a relief to RJD nominee. Additionally, VIP candidate Sakaldeo Bind withdrew his candidature from Tarapur seat in favor of RJD candidate.