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With the Bihar Assembly election fast approaching, political tempers are rising. On Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a fresh attack on the opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), claiming that the alliance is struggling with internal discord. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari alleged that all is not well between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, claiming that the Congress leader will skip the alliance’s manifesto release event. Rift within Mahagathbandhan? In a post on X, Bhandari wrote, “MGB Manifesto Politics – Mahagathbandhan to release its manifesto today! It’s told that Rahul Gandhi will not be present at the launch! Tejashwi Yadav himself has communicated that Rahul Gandhi should not be present! This will be the second absence of Rahul Gandhi! Massive tussle between Tejashwi and Rahul.” He further alleged that Tejashwi Yadav had intentionally distanced himself and his party from the Congress leader. “Tejashwi Yadav did not have Rahul’s picture on the poster, has not allowed him to campaign in Bihar, did not invite him for the manifesto launch, and did not give Congress a Deputy CM candidature. He believes Rahul will do ‘vote chori’ of RJD’s vote bank,” Bhandari claimed, adding that the so-called ‘Maha Thagbandhan’ (Grand Deceit Alliance) was “fighting among themselves”. The BJP’s remarks come just days before the first phase of polling, adding to the growing narrative of friction within the opposition bloc. What we know about the Grand Alliance? The Mahagathbandhan, which is contesting the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election, is an alliance of major opposition parties aiming to challenge the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The coalition includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and several Left parties, as well as smaller regional outfits. Led by Tejashwi Yadav, the RJD remains the largest component of the alliance and has projected Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate. The Congress continues to be a significant national partner, contesting a notable share of the 243 seats. Additionally, a smaller regional party representing the Nishad community has joined the alliance to consolidate caste-based support. According to the Election Commission of India, polling will be conducted in two phases – phase 1 is on 6 November 2025 (121 constituencies) and phase 2 will be on 11 November 2025 (122 constituencies). The counting of votes and results will take place on 14 November 2025.
