Patna, Bihar: As the political temperature rises in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections on November 6 and 11, the Congress party has thrown down the gauntlet to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), daring them to announce their Chief Ministerial candidate. This challenge comes on the heels of the Mahagathbandhan, the grand alliance of opposition parties, formally declaring Tejashwi Yadav as their Chief Ministerial face.

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, addressing a joint press conference in Patna, questioned the NDA's silence on the matter. "We want to ask Amit Shah ji and the president of their party who is the CM face of your alliance?" Gehlot stated, highlighting the contrast between the Mahagathbandhan's decisive move and the NDA's apparent hesitation. He further alluded to the recent political developments in Maharashtra, where Eknath Shinde was initially projected as the Chief Minister but later replaced, raising concerns about transparency and potential surprises within the NDA.

The declaration of Tejashwi Yadav as the Mahagathbandhan's leader is seen as a strategic move to consolidate the opposition's position and provide a clear alternative to the current government. Gehlot emphasized that the decision was made after careful consideration and with the support of key leaders within the alliance, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani has been declared as the Deputy Chief Ministerial face.

Tejashwi Yadav himself has been a vocal critic of the NDA's leadership, alleging that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is being treated unfairly within the alliance. "Injustice is being done to Nitish Kumar in the NDA," Yadav stated, pointing to the absence of joint press conferences and official announcements regarding the NDA's Chief Ministerial candidate. He suggested that the BJP may not intend to retain Kumar as Chief Minister, potentially undermining his position and the stability of the ruling coalition.

The BJP's silence on the Chief Ministerial question has fueled speculation and uncertainty within Bihar's political circles. While BJP leaders have consistently praised Nitish Kumar's administrative record, they have stopped short of explicitly endorsing him as the Chief Ministerial candidate. This ambiguity has led to questions about the BJP's long-term intentions and whether they might be considering other options.

Political strategist Prashant Kishor recently claimed that Nitish Kumar may struggle to win even 25 seats and that the NDA is on its way out. He posited that the BJP's reticence is a calculated move to keep Nitish Kumar and other allies on their toes, allowing the party to make a decision after the election results are in. By not naming a Chief Ministerial candidate, the BJP retains the flexibility to either retain Kumar, replace him, or promote one of its own leaders.

The Congress party's assertive challenge to the NDA reflects the growing intensity of the political battle in Bihar. With the Mahagathbandhan presenting a united front under Tejashwi Yadav's leadership, the pressure is now on the NDA to clarify its leadership plans and address the concerns raised by the opposition. The people of Bihar are keenly observing these developments as they prepare to cast their votes and decide the future of their state.