CONGRESS-RJD TUSSLE ECHOES MAHARASHTRA POLITICAL TROUBLES

Rahul Gandhi's insistence on the Maharashtra model unsettles RJD as Bihar polls loom.

- AJIT MAINDOLA

Congress's top leader, Rahul Gandhi, is insisting on adopting the Maharashtra formula in Bihar. This has caused unease and concern within the RJD.

In Maharashtra, Congress completely ignored pressure from allies and contested the elections without a face, causing significant losses to the alliance. UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray wanted to be named the face of the election, but Congress was unwilling. Thisled tointense infighting within the constituent parties during the elections. The Congress-led Mahagathbandhan alliance ultimately lost.

Similar situations arenow developing in Bihar. The RJD wantsits leader, Tejashwi Yaday, to be declared the CM face, but Congress is unprepared. The RJD is worried that Congress is playing a biggame this time.'The party hasstarted demanding more than 60 seats, with talks now underway for 70-75. In addition, Congress is trying to woo smaller parties and is preparing to field Pappu Yadav and Kanhaiya Kumar—both opposed by the RID.