Mahagathbandhan allies to clash in 12 seats; Kishor alleges three candidates forced to withdraw

As Bihar gears up for the Assembly elections in two phases on November 6 and 11, the Opposition’s Grand Alliance, or Mahagathbandhan, faces internal strife with multiple instances of direct contests among its own candidates, leaving at least 11 seats vulnerable to vote splits.

- MPOST BUREAU

The situation has been compounded by allegations from poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, who claimed that three of his Jan Suraaj Party candidates were forced to withdraw under “pressure” from the BJP, including one in Brahampur.

The situation lays bare conflicts, lack of coordination, and exposes faultlines within the Opposition, just a fortnight before the first phase of the state Assembly polls, drawing criticism from the NDA and its allies.

Within the Grand Alliance, while the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress are locked in direct contests in six seats, the CPI and Congress face each other in four constituencies. Mukesh Sahani’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and the RJD will see “friendly fire” in two seats—Chainpur and Babubarhi.

This became clear after the RJD announced its list of 143 candidates on Monday, which included six seats where the Congress has also fielded candidates: Vaishali, Sikandra, Kahalgaon, Sultanganj, Narkatiaganj, and Warsaliganj. Meanwhile, the Left and Congress have fielded candidates against each other in Bachhwara, Rajapakar, Bihar Sharif, and Karghar. The situation may become clearer by October 23, the last date for withdrawal of candidature for the second phase.