INDIA bloc scrambles to quell Bihar tensions

The Opposition's Grand Alliance on Wednesday attempted to paper over cracks as senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot met Rashtriya Janata Dal leaders Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav, playing down the squabbling over seats that has threatened to mar the coalition's prospects in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections.

- Subhash Pathak

The meeting came a day after nominations for the crucial second phase of assembly polls in Bihar closed, making it clear that the Opposition had fielded more than one candidate in at least 10 seats.

The coalition has till Thursday the last day for withdrawal of nominations for the second phase, where 122 seats go to the polls on November 11 to sort out its differences.

"Mahagathbandhan is contesting the elections together.

There are some issues on 5-10 seats, including local disputes.

The MGB may also see friendly fights on a few seats," said Gehlot.

Gehlot said that the leaders held a good discussion. "We had a detailed discussion and everything will be clarified tomorrow at a joint press conference," he said, emphasising that differences over a handful of seats were "nothing unusual" in a large alliance.

Earlier, Tejashwi Yadav too had hinted that the MGB will contest the elections unitedly and all issues would be sorted out by Thursday. "There are no disputes in Mahagathbandhan," he said, urging allies to withdraw candidates where the RJD has staked claims, citing the party's stature as the bloc's biggest force.