Mahagathbandhan Announces Bihar Seat-Sharing Formula for Lok Sabha Polls

Patna: In a significant development in Bihar’s political arena, the Grand Alliance unveiled its seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections during a press conference held at the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) office in Patna on Friday. Remarkably, this announcement came hot on the heels of the conclusion of the nomination process for the initial phase of the polls.

According to the alliance’s declaration, the RJD is slated to contest on 26 seats, with the Congress securing 9 seats, and the Left parties clinching five seats. Noteworthy among the Left’s allotments are the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), set to contest on three crucial seats in Bhojpur (Ara), Nalanda, and Karakat, while the Communist Party of India (CPI) is slated to contest the Begusarai seat, with Awadhesh Rai as its announced candidate. Additionally, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) will vie for the Khagaria seat.

The spotlight, however, gleamed brightest on the Purnia seat, firmly secured by the RJD, effectively sidelining the aspirations of Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav. Emerging as the Grand Alliance candidate for this pivotal constituency is Bima Bharti, a notable figure transitioning from the Janata Dal United (JDU) to the RJD fold.

This strategic realignment of seats marks a departure from the electoral landscape of the preceding Lok Sabha elections, where the RJD contested 19 seats, the Congress 9, and the Left fielded candidates in 6 constituencies.

The resolution of seat allocations follows three days of intensive deliberations between RJD and Congress leaders in Delhi, culminating in a comprehensive formula with stipulated terms and conditions. Notably, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav remains stationed in Delhi, indicating the high-level engagement of key stakeholders in the negotiation process.

The joint press conference witnessed the presence of prominent figures from the RJD, including state president Jagdanand Singh, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, Shyam Rajak, Uday Narayan Chaudhary, and Dhirendra Jha, alongside Ram Naresh Pandey representing the Left parties. However, the departure from convention was palpable during the press conference, with only RJD representatives, Abdul Bari Siddiqui and Manoj Jha, voicing their perspectives, while leaders from other coalition partners, notably Congress state president Akhilesh Prasad Singh, remained conspicuously silent.

Moreover, as inquiries surfaced regarding Pappu Yadav’s electoral prospects, the press conference came to an abrupt end, underscoring the intricacies and sensitivities surrounding the alliance dynamics as Bihar braces for the impending electoral contest.