Patna/New Delhi: The Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) is wrestling with a deepening crisis over seat sharing, with sources indicating that the coalition’s main power center, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, has issued a blunt ultimatum to Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani.
According to highly placed sources, Tejashwi informed Sahani that if he wishes to contest the upcoming elections as part of the Grand Alliance, he must unequivocally adhere to the terms laid out by the coalition.
Sahani’s Public Maneuvering
Sahani’s reaction to the alleged ultimatum has been characterized by public ambiguity. Following the reported meeting, the VIP chief released a photo on his X account that conspicuously omitted any mention of the Grand Alliance, marking a noticeable departure from a similar post just three days prior which had referenced the Mahagathbandhan government.
Adding to the confusion, when VIP leaders were contacted for comment, they stated their “hands are tied” and confirmed they had been “forbidden to say anything right now,” suggesting deep uncertainty and internal turmoil. However, just four hours after the earlier, ambiguous social media post, Sahani attempted damage control, issuing a public statement to the media asserting that the “Grand Alliance is unbreakable” and reaffirming his commitment to the coalition.
The Appearance of a New EBC Face
The political drama escalated late Saturday evening when Tejashwi Yadav held a high-profile meeting with IP Gupta, head of the Indian Inclusive Party. Gupta immediately publicized the meeting, sharing a video on Instagram with a highly suggestive caption:
“This is our first meeting, and we have found a strong support. The evening is special, the time is special, and I realize it. What more do we need? I am with you, and you are with me.”
Gupta’s post sent immediate ripples through political circles, positioning him as a viable new face for the Extremely Backward Class (EBC) community—a demographic crucial to the Grand Alliance’s electoral success—potentially in direct competition with Sahani.
