With the Bihar Assembly elections drawing near on November 6 and 11, the Congress party is making a concerted effort to resolve a seat-sharing deadlock with its ally, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). To address the stalemate, Congress has dispatched senior leader Ashok Gehlot to Patna for crucial talks with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

The primary sticking point between the two parties involves five key constituencies: Baisi, Bahadurganj, Raniganj, Kahalgaon, and Saharsa. Both parties are reportedly unwilling to concede ground on these seats. Congress leaders argue that public dissatisfaction with legislators who defected justifies reassigning these seats to their party. However, the RJD is hesitant to relinquish Raniganj, even after losing the seat in the last election.

Kahalgaon is another point of contention, a seat traditionally considered a Congress stronghold. The Congress contested it in the last election but lost to the BJP, and the RJD is now reportedly seeking to contest from Kahalgaon. Furthermore, after initially offering the Saharsa seat to the India Inclusive Party (IIP), the RJD has renewed its claim on the same seat.

The delay in finalizing a seat-sharing agreement has raised concerns, especially with the nomination process for the first phase of the elections already concluded. Some speculate that the RJD's last-minute announcement of candidates indicates apprehension regarding the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In some constituencies, there are candidates from both the RJD and Congress, highlighting the overlaps in seat-sharing within the Mahagathbandhan.

The RJD has projected Tejashwi Yadav as the alliance's chief ministerial face. Ashok Gehlot recently described this move as part of a "strategic approach". Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has commenced a three-day visit to Bihar, holding public rallies in various districts. Polling for all 243 assembly seats in Bihar will occur in two phases on November 6 and 11, with the results to be announced on November 14.

In related developments, a Delhi court has framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav in connection with the IRCTC hotels case. These charges, involving corruption and conspiracy, are seen as a potential political setback for the RJD ahead of the elections.