TENSION BETWEEN RJD AND CONGRESS OVER SEAT SHARING IN BIHAR

TENSION BETWEEN RJD AND CONGRESS OVER SEAT SHARING IN BIHAR

1-JULY-ENG 4

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA------------------------Amid preparations for the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar, everything does not seem normal within the Mahagathbandhan. Especially the deepening tussle between the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) over seat sharing is now coming out in the open. If RJD sources are to be believed, the party is considering giving a maximum of 50 seats to the Congress, while the Congress is a claimant for more than that.

Amidst this political disagreement, two developments have created a stir in political circles. Senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh has met RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav along with former state president of the party Akhilesh Singh. This meeting has taken place at a time when just a day before that Akhilesh Singh had met Lalu alone. These meetings are being directly linked to the talks of seat sharing.

It is being speculated that the Congress has now started direct talks through Lalu Yadav's close and trusted leaders instead of Bihar Congress in-charge. In fact, sources say that Lalu Yadav is not comfortable with the current Congress in-charge, due to which the Congress has adopted a pressure strategy by putting forward experienced leaders like Digvijay Singh.

Meanwhile, influential Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar has made it clear that Tejashwi Yadav will be the face of the Chief Minister's post from the Grand Alliance. He argued that since RJD will contest the maximum number of seats and their MLAs will be the highest in number, the question of leadership should not arise.

Meanwhile, the activities of AIMIM led by Asaduddin Owaisi have brought about a major change in the strategy of the Grand Alliance. Sources say that ever since Owaisi has expressed his desire to join the Grand Alliance, RJD has further increased the pressure on Congress to cut seats. RJD also believes that the "base vote" of Congress is not being transferred to the Grand Alliance, raising questions on its utility.

The role of VIP chief Mukesh Sahni is also considered important in the upcoming strategy of the Grand Alliance. Last time he joined NDA just before the elections. It will be interesting to see which side he will go this time, but it is certain that the final distribution of seats will be done keeping in mind his position.

Overall, this internal tug of war going on within the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar regarding seat sharing can affect the picture of the upcoming elections. Owaisi's growing influence, Congress's weak position and Tejashwi Yadav's leadership role - all these three factors will decide the direction of the alliance in the coming days.