Copyright news18
As the elections in Bihar are in full swing, reports of another rift within the Mahagathbandhan alliance have surfaced, this time involving Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) Mukesh Sahani, the INDIA bloc’s Deputy Chief Ministerial face in the state. Ahead of the second phase of the Bihar elections, sources told News18 India that Sahani is reportedly upset with the Mahagathbandhan and stayed away from the alliance’s rally held in Jitoura. There are rumours that Sahani might be in touch with a senior NDA leader and can make a major decision before November 14, the day of the results. Seizing on this alleged rift, the Bihar BJP said Sahani had been “insulted” in the Mahagathbandhan, and it was natural for the VIP chief to feel angry. “The entire Bihar has witnessed the manner in which RJD and Congress have insulted Mukesh Sahni ji in the Mahagathbandhan.” “First, Mukesh Sahani was not allowed to contest the elections, and then his brother was allegedly pressured to withdraw from Gaura Bauram. After such humiliation, Mukesh Sahani’s displeasure is quite natural. The resentment of the extremely backward Mallah community over the RJD’s dismissive attitude toward them is completely justified,” the party said. मुकेश सहनी जी को महागठबंधन में आरजेडी और कांग्रेस ने जिस ढंग से अपमानित किया, उसे पूरे बिहार ने देखा है। पहले मुकेश सहनी जी को चुनाव नहीं लड़ने दिया फिर गौराबौरम से उनके भाई को दबाव देकर बिठा दिया। इतना अपमानित होने के बाद मुकेश सहनी जी की नाराजगी होना स्वाभाविक है। अतिपिछड़ा… https://t.co/0ZZ6SOQlxV — BJP Bihar (@BJP4Bihar) November 9, 2025 However, the VIP party has denied any such rift within the opposition alliance. Mukesh Sahani released a video urging his supporters to back the Mahagathbandhan candidate in the elections to quell rumours of discontent. Mukesh Sahani’s Influence In Bihar Reports had earlier surfaced that Mukesh Sahani will file nomination from the Gaura Bauram seat before the first phase of the elections, but RJD candidate Afzal Ali filed his nomination from the same seat. Sahani soon clarified that he would not contest from the seat, but would campaign for the Mahagathbandhan and become the deputy CM. This marks a sensitive point in Bihar politics, as Sahani commands influence over the Extremely Backward Class (EBC) vote, which comprise 30% of Bihar’s votes – including Nishads, Kevats, Lohars, Telis and more. The opposition has attempted to woo the EBC vote with its 10-point ‘Atipichhda Nyay Sankalp’ Born into a Nishad (Mallah or fisherman) family, Sahani’s political career covers his journey from a small-town boy to a successful Bollywood set designer and finally to a powerful politician wielding influence over a crucial vote bank. In 2020, he had switched from the Mahagathbandhan to the NDA after his demands for 25 seats and the Deputy CM post were rejected. Sahani served in the Nitish Kumar cabinet as the Minister for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries. He returned to the Mahagathbandhan in 2024 after the VIP won four seats, but three of them switched to the BJP. This is not the first time a rift within the Mahagathbandhan has been suspected. Tensions have allegedly flared between the RJD and Congress as seen by ‘friendly fights’ in several constituencies, and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) breaking away from the alliance to contest independently.
