Bihar elections: Seat-Sharing Suspense Deepens in opposition; 3 days left for filing phase 1 papers

Bihar elections 2025: Just before the Bihar Assembly elections, the suspense of seat sharing in the INDIA alliance is increasing. An important meeting of the Central Election Committee (CEC) of the Congress was held in Delhi on Tuesday evening, in which the finalization of candidates for the November state elections was discussed. In this meeting led by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, detailed debate took place on 26 seats. According to sources, a total of 72 seats have been reviewed so far, but a clear picture of how many seats Congress will contest as per the alliance is not yet clear.

Kharge instructed the committee that the screening committee should be limited to a single candidate for each seat. He expressed displeasure over presenting a panel of multiple names and said that only the last name should be brought before the CEC. After the meeting, there were indications that the stalled talks with RJD were back on track. Congress is likely to get 60 seats in the alliance, but if Mukesh Sahni's Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) is given a place, the number may reach 73.

Signal from RJD: 'Don't break the thread of love.'

Amidst the uncertainty of the alliance, RJD MP Manoj Jha shared a mysterious couplet on social media—"Rahiman thread of love, don't break it by teasing." This post is giving further fuel to the discussion, which seems to be an indication of saving the 'love affair' of the alliance. Sources reveal that on Monday, talks were held between Congress managers and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, which cleared the way for the CEC meeting. The alliance is expected to make a formal announcement about seat sharing in Patna on Wednesday.

First phase: 121 seats, 3 days left

Only three days are left for the last date of nomination for 121 seats for the first phase. There is pressure on this alliance of RJD, Congress, Left parties and VIP to take a decision soon. A senior Congress leader said, "The atmosphere has improved. Relations have become cordial again and numbers are no longer an issue. There are minor hiccups in the exchange of some seats, which will be resolved soon."

Left's support: CPI-ML withdrew the list of candidates

CPI-ML withdrew its candidate list, indicating progress in talks. RJD also withdrew the election symbols released earlier. RJD state spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav said, "We are not aware of this. There can be no pressure on RJD. We are guided by ideological commitments. Alliance means mutual harmony, where everyone's opinion is respected."

On Monday night, an RJD MP close to the Lalu Prasad family was seen near the CM House, giving further fuel to the discussions behind the scenes. The leaders of the INDIA block are avoiding public comments, but the suspense is at its peak.

Record of 30 years broken 

This uncertainty is rare in Bihar politics. For the first time in the last three decades, the talk of seat sharing has dragged on till the last moment of nomination. Due to this, workers and voters are confused as to how the face of the opposition will appear on the EVM. BJP has released its first list here and fielded veterans like Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Sinha, which is putting additional pressure on the alliance. Will there be any big announcement from Patna on Wednesday? The coming hours will tell.