Bihar Polls: Tejashwi Yadav Is Mahagathbandhan's CM Candidate

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav has officially been named the Chief Ministerial candidate of the Mahagathbandhan alliance for the upcoming 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.

Talking to media after the announcement, senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot says, "...This is a well-thought-out decision."

Gehlot's visit to the Bihar capital came amid growing tensions within the alliance, particularly over the issue of overlapping nominations in nearly a dozen constituencies. The Congress high command dispatched Gehlot to mediate between alliance partners and reaffirm unity. He met with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav at their residence, accompanied by Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru.

Earlier in the day, CPI leader Ram Naresh Pandey also endorsed Tejashwi Yadav as the Mahagathbandhan's CM face, dismissing speculation over leadership disputes. "Tejashwi is the future Chief Minister of Bihar. Any controversy over posters or leadership is baseless," Pandey told ANI.
The Mahagathbandhan, led by the RJD, comprises the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP).

Despite internal friction over seat-sharing, the alliance is positioning itself as a formidable challenger to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which includes the BJP, JD(U), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha.

Speaking to reporters over Yadav being declared as the CM face, RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari said, "The 14 crore people of Bihar have already accepted Tejashwi Yadav as their CM. Mukesh Sahani has been announced as the Deputy CM face. This is the unity of Mahagathbandhan. On the other hand, NDA are not mustering the courage to announce Nitish Kumar as the CM face...All is well with us."

While the NDA has finalized its seat-sharing strategy, the Mahagathbandhan's "friendly fight" approach-where multiple allies have fielded candidates in the same constituencies-has drawn criticism and raised questions about its electoral cohesion.

BJP's Response

However, the BJP has mocked the development calling the alliance 'lathbandhan' and 'thugbandhan'.

BJP leader Sanjay told ANI: "...Tejashwi Yadav had expressed that he didn't trust his own allies. Today, for the first time, he has expressed trust...They are not going to form government and they are announcing the name of the Deputy CM. I think within a few days, they will announce the names of all ministers of the state cabinet. But Bihar will repeat 2010...NDA is united and contesting the election together. For them, 'ye friendly fight nahi hai, sthiti tight hai'..."