As the Bihar Assembly elections draw near, the opposition INDIA bloc is grappling with internal challenges, even after attempts to present a united front. While partners have made efforts to climb down in certain constituencies, "friendly fights" persist, raising questions about the coalition's cohesion.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), leading the opposition coalition, recently released its list of 143 candidates. However, the RJD has fielded candidates in at least five constituencies where the Congress, another key member of the INDIA bloc, had hoped to contest. This has led to accusations of the RJD undermining Dalit representation and sabotaging the alliance. Specifically, the RJD is reportedly contesting against Congress candidates in Vaishali, Lalganj and Kahalgaon.
বিহার Congress chief Rajesh Ram has openly criticized Tejashwi Yadav, accusing him of shifting his stance and working against the agreement reached within the alliance. These disagreements highlight the underlying tensions and the struggle for seat-sharing among the opposition parties.
Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan has weighed in on the matter, dismissing the notion of "friendly fights". Paswan asserted that such conflicts would inevitably lead to the opposition's defeat, predicting victory for the NDA alliance. He emphasized that in politics, one is either a friend or a foe, implying that these clashes reveal a deeper discord within the Mahagathbandhan.
Despite the apparent fractures, some believe that a compromise is still possible, with one party eventually withdrawing in favor of the other in the contested seats. However, the ongoing disagreements have already created an image of a divided opposition, potentially playing into the hands of the ruling NDA.
On the other hand, the NDA appears to be projecting a united front. The BJP President Dilip Jaiswal reaffirmed the "rock solid" unity of the NDA alliance. The NDA is relying on its development initiatives, direct benefit transfers, and the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to launch the NDA's campaign with mega rallies.
Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party is contesting all 243 seats in the Bihar Assembly elections. Kishor has made bold claims, predicting either a historic win or a complete wipeout for his party, a gamble that could potentially reshape Bihar's political landscape.
As the nomination process concludes, the Election Commission of India reports that 1,314 candidates are in contention for the first phase, covering 121 constituencies. With the first phase of polling scheduled for November 6th, the coming weeks will be crucial for both alliances to consolidate their positions and sway the voters.
