Bihar Elections 2025: Mahagathbandhan’s First Seat-Sharing Talks

In a bustling Patna office, the Mahagathbandhan alliance convened its first seat-sharing meeting for the Bihar 2025 assembly polls. Led by Tejashwi Yadav, RJD, Congress, and Left parties strategized to challenge the NDA’s dominance. Tensions simmered over seat demands, with Congress pushing for 70 seats and VIP seeking 40. The meeting’s outcome could shape Bihar’s political future, as the alliance aims to unite against Nitish Kumar’s NDA. With analysts watching closely, will this coalition find harmony or fracture under pressure? The stakes are high as Bihar’s voters await answers.

Key Details

Who: Mahagathbandhan leaders, including Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Akhilesh Prasad Singh (Congress), and representatives from CPI, CPI(ML), CPI(M), and VIP’s Mukesh Sahani.
What: First formal seat-sharing meeting for Bihar 2025 assembly polls.
When: April 17, 2025.
Where: Patna, Bihar, at RJD’s headquarters.
Why: To finalize seat distribution and align Mahagathbandhan’s alliance strategy against NDA.

The Mahagathbandhan Alliance, a coalition of opposition parties, held its first seat-sharing meeting on April 17, 2025, in Patna, setting the stage for the Bihar 2025 assembly polls. Led by RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, the meeting included representatives from Congress, Left parties, and VIPs, aiming to forge a united front against the NDA’s Nitish Kumar. The timing—six months before the expected October elections—underscores the urgency to resolve internal differences and counter the NDA’s early campaign momentum. While cooperative in tone, underlying tensions emerged over seat allocations, with Congress demanding a larger share based on the principle of winnability. The Mahagathbandhan alliance strategy hinges on unity, but unresolved issues could weaken its challenge to the ruling party. As Bihar’s political landscape intensifies, this meeting marks a crucial step in shaping the opposition’s electoral prospects.

Background: A Coalition Under Pressure

Bihar’s political history is marked by shifting alliances. In 2020, the Mahagathbandhan, comprising RJD, Congress, and Left parties, won 110 seats but fell short of the NDA’s 125. The RJD, with 75 seats, emerged as the single-largest party, but Congress’s poor strike rate—19 wins from 70 seats—drew criticism. In 2022, Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) briefly joined the Mahagathbandhan before returning to the NDA in 2024, leaving the opposition scrambling. With Bihar’s 243 seats up for grabs in October or November 2025, the Mahagathbandhan aims to capitalize on public discontent over unemployment, crime, and education. The alliance’s first meeting signals an early start to counter the NDA’s survey-based seat allocation strategy.

Key Events: The Meeting Unfolds

On April 17, 2025, Patna’s RJD headquarters buzzed with anticipation. Tejashwi Yadav, the face of the alliance, led discussions with Congress’s Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Left leaders, and VIP Mukesh Sahani. The tone was cooperative yet tense as the parties staked their claims. Congress demanded 70 seats, citing its organizational strength, while the RJD emphasized winnability over legacy claims. VIP’s bold demand for 40 seats, with Sahani eyeing a Deputy CM role, sparked debate. No final seat numbers have been confirmed, but sources suggest that the RJD may contest 140–150 seats, Congress 65–70, and the Left parties 20–29. Four strategic committees were formed to handle messaging, media, coordination, and policy promises, signalling a structured campaign approach.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Unity or Discord?

Tejashwi Yadav projected confidence, stating, “We’re acting early to avoid confusion and ensure grassroots coordination.” Congress’s Krishna Allavaru stressed, “We want quality seats where we can win.” However, VIP’s high demands hinted at friction, with sources noting JMM’s absence from later meetings as a sign of discontent. Post-meeting, RJD’s Mrityunjay Tiwari told PTI, “Important decisions on seat-sharing and strategy will be finalized soon,” suggesting progress but no closure. Analysts noted the alliance’s challenge: balancing the RJD’s dominance with Congress’s ambitions and the demands of smaller parties. The 2020 polls, where Congress’s low strike rate hurt the alliance, loomed large.

Broader Implications: Shaping Bihar’s Political Future

In the upcoming Bihar 2025 assembly polls, the Mahagathbandhan alliance strategy focuses on unemployment, crime, and education to counter the NDA’s development narrative. Bihar’s high youth unemployment and crime rates in Patna and Muzaffarpur offer ammunition. The NDA, led by Nitish Kumar, is leveraging the BJP’s survey-driven seat allocation and Union Budget allocations for Bihar. The Mahagathbandhan’s early start aims to unify its base among Yadavs, Muslims, and OBCs, but Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party could split the anti-incumbency vote. Media reports highlight the meeting’s significance, with The Indian Express noting, “The alliance’s unity will determine its electoral fate.” Analysts predict a tight race, with clarity on seat sharing crucial for Mahagathbandhan’s prospects.

Conclusion

The Mahagathbandhan’s first seat-sharing meeting for the Bihar 2025 assembly polls marks a pivotal moment. While cooperative, the unresolved seat demands and VIP’s ambitions reveal underlying tensions. The alliance’s strategy to highlight unemployment and crime aims to challenge the NDA’s grip, but unity remains key. With the next meeting on May 4, 2025, the coalition must resolve disputes to mount a credible challenge. As Bihar’s voters watch, Mahagathbandhan’s ability to strike a balance between ambition and coordination will shape its electoral fate.