Tejashwi Yadav Dominates Mahagathbandhan Poster as Bihar Alliance Faces Internal Tensions

The joint press meet's poster features only RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's photograph

Prior to the Mahagathbandhan press conference in Patna, where Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav is expected to be announced as the alliance's Chief Ministerial candidate for the Bihar election, the BJP has criticized the Congress, highlighting that Rahul Gandhi's image is absent from the press conference posters.

The posters display only Tejashwi Yadav's image. Congress senior leader Ashok Gehlot, who was dispatched to Patna to resolve disagreements between RJD and Congress during seat-sharing talks, is expected to join Tejashwi Yadav at the press conference. Following weeks of intense negotiations, the Mahagathbandhan allies aim to demonstrate unity at today's press meet.

The BJP has mocked the absence of Rahul Gandhi's image on the press meet poster. "Joint PC? But only one picture. Rahul Gandhi & Congress ka 'samman chori'. Showed Congress & Rahul his place?" BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla posted on X. The 'samman chori' phrase cleverly references Gandhi's 'vote chori' campaign that alleges major electoral irregularities by the Election Commission in collaboration with the ruling BJP. Both the election body and the BJP have dismissed these allegations.

Poonawalla also alleged that RJD "virtually bullied and threatened Congress" to accept Tejashwi Yadav as its face. He added that RJD issued a "chilling threat" to its ally, warning that it would give Congress "zero seats" if it didn't agree.

"So much for Rahul's macho man bravadogiri. If alliance partners are threatened imagine Janta ke saath kya hoga," he remarked, adding, "save the tweet & share if Rahul Gandhi does capitulate".

Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera minimized the BJP's poster claims. "Let them say whatever they want to say, but there was never a clash in (Mahagathbandhan)," he stated. Regarding the poster controversy, he questioned, "Is this a relevant issue? Does this issue make any sense to the youth of Bihar?"

Seat-sharing discussions between the RJD and Congress encountered obstacles when both parties insisted on contesting specific seats, and Congress pushed for more constituencies. This resulted in both parties announcing candidates for some of the same seats. Such friendly contests could split opposition votes and benefit BJP and JDU candidates. To address this crisis, Gehlot was sent to Patna. Alliance leaders now claim that issues have been resolved, though some constituencies may still see friendly contests.

In the 2020 Assembly elections, the RJD contested 144 seats and secured 75, while Congress competed in 70 and won only 19. This time, RJD has announced candidates for 143 seats and Congress has named its choices for 59. Mukesh Sahani's VIP may contest 15 seats, with 30 seats potentially going to CPIML, CPM and CPI. Multiple allies have announced candidates for several seats, but some of these disputes may be resolved after today's press conference.