NEW DELHI: Amid ongoing tensions over seat-sharing in the opposition Mahagathbandhan, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Mrityunjay Tiwari on Sunday said that alliance partners must understand the ground realities — that Lalu Prasad Yadav’s party primarily contests in Bihar and won’t seek seats in states like Karnataka or Rajasthan.
Speaking to ANI, Tiwari said such disagreements are natural in coalition politics and would be resolved once the top leaders sit together.
“Such situations emerge when there is a coalition, but it must be understood that RJD contests elections only in Bihar and a few seats in Jharkhand. We are not going to demand seats in Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh from Congress. They must understand the ground realities. There is still time. All the top leaders of the Mahagathbandhan parties would sit together to discuss and resolve this issue,” Tiwari said.
On Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s (JMM) decision to contest six seats alone in the Bihar Assembly elections, Tiwari said the focus should be on unity and purpose.
“Every party desires more seats. But they should understand that this election is more than just forming a government. It's about saving Bihar, developing the state, and overthrowing the central government. Everyone needs to work together to strengthen this effort,” he said.
His comments came after JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya pointed out “contradictions” within both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan, saying his party would review its alliance in Bihar.
“There are contradictions within the NDA as well as within the Mahagathbandhan. There is infighting in many seats. We will also review the alliance in the state. Because every time there is betrayal. They have betrayed the workers of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. We will win the elections and ensure that the next government in Bihar will not be formed without the consent of the JMM,” Bhattacharya said.
He confirmed that JMM will go solo in the upcoming Bihar elections, contesting six constituencies — Dhamdaha, Chakai, Katoria, Manihari, Jamui and Pirpainti.
“Dhamdaha, Chakai, Katoria, Manihari, Jamui and Pirpainti - we will contest these. The situation everywhere is different. Why is Congress contesting against the RJD? Why is CPI contesting against VIP (Vikassheel Insaan Party)? Election strategies vary,” Bhattacharya told ANI.
Meanwhile, Congress released its second list of candidates amid the seat-sharing deadlock. Shaswat Kedar Pandey will contest from Narkatiaganj, Qamrul Hoda from Kishanganj, Irfan Alam from Kasba, Jitender Yadav from Purnia, and Mohan Shrivasta from Gaya Town.
Congress leader Pawan Khera said that all decisions within the Mahagathbandhan have been finalised and only the announcement remains.
“Everything has been finalised, only the announcement has to be made, which will be made at the right time,” he said.
The Mahagathbandhan, which includes the RJD and Congress, could not finalise a seat-sharing arrangement for the first phase of the Bihar polls, leading to what leaders described as a “friendly fight” on some seats.
In contrast, the ruling NDA has already finalised its seat-sharing formula and begun groundwork across major constituencies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to launch the NDA’s election campaign on October 24.
Bihar will vote in two phases, on November 6 and 11, with results set to be declared on November 14.
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