As the Bihar Assembly elections approach, the opposition alliance Mahagathbandhan is working to minimize ‘friendly fights’ between its partners.
Congress veteran Ashok Gehlot has arrived in Patna to resolve differences with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and ensure smooth seat-sharing arrangements.
Efforts to End Internal Conflicts
Friendly fights occur when candidates from allied parties contest against each other, risking a split in opposition votes that could benefit the ruling NDA. Gehlot, along with Bhupesh Baghel, Congress’s senior election observers for Bihar, is engaging with RJD leaders to limit such conflicts.
“There can be a friendly fight in some seats. The process is moving forward… All the confusion will be cleared. Mahagathbandhan will contest the elections strongly,” Gehlot told ANI before leaving for Bihar.
Tejashwi Yadav as Chief Ministerial Candidate
Sources suggest that Congress may soon endorse Tejashwi Yadav as the Mahagathbandhan’s Chief Ministerial face. The party has withheld this announcement so far, likely as leverage during seat-sharing negotiations. In a media interaction, Tejashwi stated, “There is no dispute. You will get all the answers tomorrow.”
Bihar Election Timeline
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Voting Dates: November 6 and 11, 2025
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Result Declaration: November 14, 2025
The contest involves the ruling NDA, which includes BJP, JDU, LJP (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha, and the opposition Mahagathbandhan, comprising RJD, Congress, the Left parties, and Vikasheel Insaan Party. A third front has also emerged under Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj.
By resolving internal conflicts, Mahagathbandhan aims to present a united front and improve its chances in Bihar’s high-stakes assembly elections.
