PATNA: The INDIA bloc in Bihar is facing internal discord, as constituents of the alliance, the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Left parties are set to contest against each other in at least eight assembly constituencies due to disagreements over seat-sharing.
According to leaders from the Congress and RJD, the overlapping constituencies where alliance partners will face off include Narkatiaganj, Vaishali, Rajapakar, Rosera, Bachhwara, Kahalgaon, Biharsharif, and Sikandara. The infighting has raised questions about the bloc’s coordination and unity in the run-up to the crucial elections.
Under the final seat-sharing arrangement, the Congress is contesting 61 seats, nine fewer than the number it contested in the previous election, while the RJD has fielded candidates in 143 constituencies. The Left parties, which had been demanding a larger share, have expressed dissatisfaction with the distribution, adding to the tensions within the opposition alliance.
Political observers note that this internal rift could weaken the INDIA bloc’s electoral prospects in key regions where the ruling NDA is looking to consolidate its position. The lack of cohesion among the opposition parties may split votes, particularly in constituencies where both Congress and RJD have a strong presence.
Despite the public show of unity at the national level, the seat-sharing dispute in Bihar highlights the challenges facing the INDIA bloc as it tries to translate its alliance into a cohesive electoral force. Party leaders have attempted to downplay the divisions, insisting that local-level negotiations are still ongoing. However, with nominations already filed, reconciliation in these eight seats appears unlikely.
The Bihar assembly elections are being closely watched as a key test for the INDIA bloc’s ability to coordinate and challenge the BJP-led NDA ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. For now, the alliance’s struggle to maintain unity in one of its strongest states may signal deeper organisational challenges ahead.
