Negotiations within Bihar’s Grand Alliance have reached a critical impasse as parties wrangle over seat distribution for the upcoming November assembly elections, with smaller allies demanding significantly larger shares than initially proposed.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal, heading the coalition, finds itself mediating between competing demands from Congress, the Vikassheel Insaan Party, and Left parties. Marathon discussions at Tejashwi Yadav’s Patna residence extended until 4 am Monday, with a third round scheduled for Tuesday evening.
Time pressures are mounting, with the first polling phase scheduled for November 6, followed by a second phase on November 11. Results will be announced on November 14.
VIP’s Aggressive Positioning in Bihar
Mukesh Sahani’s VIP, which switched from the National Democratic Alliance to the Grand Alliance before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has emerged as the most assertive negotiator. The party, which commands influence among boatmen and fishermen communities, is seeking 40 seats—substantially more than the 12 seats Tejashwi has offered, which exceeds their 2020 NDA allocation by just one.
Sahani has also reportedly requested designation as deputy chief ministerial candidate, though he publicly maintains loyalty. “Even if I don’t get a single seat, I will still be with you all,” Sahani stated, though sources indicate he maintains informal NDA contacts.
Alliance insiders suggest Sahani leveraged his visibility from the Voter Adhikar Yatra alongside Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav. “He feels that since he has mobilised his base and been a visible part of the INDIA bloc optics, his seat share should be proportionately higher,” said one leader present at negotiations.
Congress and Left Demands
Congress seeks 60-65 seats but has been offered 50-55, revised upward from Lalu Prasad Yadav’s initial 40-seat proposal. Alliance partners questioned Congress’s ground presence, noting limited field impact despite yatra visibility.
The CPI(ML), capitalizing on winning 12 of 19 contested seats in 2020, has submitted a 40-seat demand, with leader Dipankar Bhattacharya requesting 35. “The focus is on winnable seats, not symbolic ones,” stated a party insider.
The RJD refuses to reduce its share below 130 seats, insisting Congress must accommodate smaller partners proportionally.
