New Delhi, Oct 23 – After weeks of back‑room talks, the Grand Alliance in Bihar has officially named RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming state elections. The move has fanned hope among opposition voters, but the BJP insists the coalition has little chance against the incumbent government.
BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad told , “It’s good that they have decided, but does it give them a real shot? People in Bihar are already turning to PM Modi and CM Nitish Kumar. The NDA is poised for a decisive win.”
Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary added that the choice underscores the RJD’s dynastic politics. “Lalu Prasad Yadav never hands power to anyone outside his family,” he said. “Only after he approved did the party flip its plans. That shows chaos. Lalu’s grip keeps Tejashwi in the spotlight, but it may fracture the alliance.”
National spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain complained that the RJD has sidelined the Congress, letting Tejashwi dominate the stage. “The Congress lost its footing in Bihar,” he said, pointing out that Rahul Gandhi’s name has largely disappeared from the campaign trail.
Opposition voices praised the decision. MP Awadhesh Prasad of the Samajwadi Party called Tejashwi a “people’s favourite.” He added, “Under the NDA, law and order have slipped and unemployment is high. Bihar voters want a change, and Tejashwi can bring it.”
Congress leader Pawan Khera described the announcement as a “historic step” that will spark optimism across the state. “The NDA still has no clear CM candidate,” he said.
Tejashwi himself welcomed the pick. “We’ve always fought for Bihar’s future,” he said. “In 2020, we won support but faced hurdles that altered the results. We’re clear on our goal—building an inclusive Bihar.”
Congress State President Ajay Rai said the INDIA bloc is confident it can form the next government. “We support this decision and value the unity shown,” he noted.
Jan Shakti Janata Dal President Tej Pratap Yadav reminded voters that they will decide the outcome. “Politicians can’t call the shots; the people of Bihar will choose their leader.”
RJD Bihar President Mangani Lal Mandal affirmed party unity, “We stand as one alliance with a single, competent face, Tejashwi Yadav.”
AIMIM leader Waris Pathan criticized the alliance for ignoring 19 percent of the population. “They can name a Deputy CM, but what about the people this alliance left out? Their promises remain unfulfilled,” he told .
The announcement came at a joint press conference at Hotel Maurya, Patna, where former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, on behalf of the alliance, confirmed Tejashwi as CM face and Mukesh Sahani as the Deputy Chief Minister.
The decision settles a long‑running dispute over seat‑sharing and leadership between the RJD and Congress. The final split gives the RJD 143 seats, keeping its strong support among Muslim‑Yadav voters.
The Grand Alliance faced criticism for failing to resolve internal differences even as the second phase of nominations approached. The main sticking point was the Congress’s demand for 70 seats—its 2020 tally—but the party only won 19 seats, a 27 percent hit rate.
With the alliance now set, Bihar voters will head to the polls with the question: can Tejashwi Yadav lead the state to a new chapter, or will the NDA’s grip on power endure?
Source: ianslive
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