Bihar elections: Why seat-sharing tensions continue in Congress-RJD alliance?

What was once considered smooth sailing for the Congress–RJD alliance has now been going through tough seat-sharing negotiations. Adding to the gridlock has been the third partner in the Mahagathbandhan, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani, whose demands had complicated several discussions. Party leaders admit that Sahani’s assertive stance, RJD’s non-conformist approach, and the Congress’s own demands have made the negotiations increasingly difficult, prolonging the impasse within the alliance.

There is also a sense within the RJD camp that the Congress neither holds electoral firepower nor possesses significant cadre strength that could bolster the alliance’s standing against the powerful BJP–JDU combine. RJD leaders also argue that the Congress lacks any strong regional face capable of driving public mobilisation on the ground.

The NDA, meanwhile, has gained a stronger footing with the inclusion of the LJP led by Chirag Paswan. During the seat-sharing talks, the RJD reportedly pressed the Congress to concede a few more seats; however, according to sources, the Congress leadership stood firm on its demand for around 60 assembly seats.

A few days ago, Tejashwi Yadav visited Delhi to meet Rahul Gandhi in an effort to resolve the ongoing issues. However, according to sources, Rahul was not available for the meeting, and Yadav instead met Organisation General Secretary K.C. Venugopal.

A political analyst said, “The RJD has always played the family card with the Congress, and the Gandhis have often taken a softer approach towards them. This has, over time, cost the Congress its ground presence in Bihar. But this time, Rahul Gandhi may have chosen to look at the matter more objectively and handle it in a more professional manner.

According to Congress leaders, had Tejashwi met Rahul Gandhi, he would have made the statement after meeting him, claiming that everything was fine between the two parties. And Rahul would not have been able to contest that. A senior Congress leader said, "This shows that Congress has been serious about their seat-sharing demands."

A Congress party insider said, “Earlier, the Congress had always bowed down before the RJD. It was more about accommodating Lalu Prasad’s family, and the Gandhis would often let things go. But this time, the Congress has been firm in its demands and has also allowed its state leadership to negotiate directly with the RJD and demand its rightful share.”

In the past, the Congress has always acted subservient to RJD in its non-electioneering phase as well as during election periods. RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav is seen to have always controlled the state unit of Congress, and the national leadership has also not tried to independently venture too much into the Bihar's politics fearing displeasure of Lalu. This has, over the years, created too much dependence of Congress over RJD and also seeded fatigue in the grand old party's cadre.

With Congress' demand to get respectable number of seats in the alliance, the party is trying to lay down an initial brick to build its cadre in the state and also send down a message among its rank and file that the party is serious about working independently and without any pressure from its major alliance partner in the state. An AICC leader said, "It was from the day one, after Congress appointed Krishna Allavaru as the state unit in-charge, that the Congress should work to build its cadre and try to expand and increase its negotiating power rather than relying on the RJD to be accommodating."

India