Patna, October 23, 2025 – In a significant development ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, the Mahagathbandhan has declared Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial candidate. This decision comes after weeks of intense deliberation and negotiation among the alliance partners. Along with the announcement, the Mahagathbandhan has launched its campaign slogan, "Chalo Bihar, Badlein Bihar" (Let's go Bihar, Let's change Bihar), signaling a unified front and a call for change in the state.
The announcement was made today, with leaders from all constituent parties of the Mahagathbandhan expected to formally endorse Tejashwi Yadav's leadership. The alliance includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Congress party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML), the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP). Mukesh Sahani, the chief of VIP, has been named as the Deputy CM face.
Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was present in Patna to mediate between the alliance partners and resolve any remaining issues. Gehlot had met with RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav to ease tensions within the coalition. He downplayed reports of rifts within the alliance, stating that disagreements on a few seats were not a major concern in an assembly of 243 seats.
Sources within the RJD have indicated that all members of the Mahagathbandhan have agreed to support Tejashwi Yadav's leadership. The decision to project Tejashwi Yadav as the CM face is a strategic move by the Mahagathbandhan to consolidate its position and present a united challenge to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming elections.
The announcement comes on the last day for withdrawing nominations, as seat-sharing negotiations stretched until the final hours. Despite some tensions, agreements have been reached in several constituencies to ensure that only one candidate from the Mahagathbandhan contests each seat.
Tejashwi Yadav has recently announced several initiatives aimed at gaining support from various sections of the society. He pledged to provide permanent jobs to Jeevika Didi community mobilisers, with a monthly salary of Rs 30,000 to around 1.5 lakh mobilisers. He also promised to waive loans given to these women, provide interest-free loans for up to two years, and offer insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh. Additionally, Tejashwi Yadav has pledged to make contract workers' jobs permanent if the RJD forms the government.
The Bihar Assembly elections in 2025 are expected to be a close contest between the Mahagathbandhan and the NDA. With Tejashwi Yadav as its CM face and the slogan "Chalo Bihar, Badlein Bihar," the Mahagathbandhan aims to present a strong challenge and bring about political and developmental change in the state.
Meanwhile, the Congress party is reportedly facing some internal unrest in Bihar following its ticket distribution for the upcoming elections.
