Seat-sharing and the chief ministerial face of the Opposition alliance were the key focus of a meeting between senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in Patna on Wednesday.
Gehlot, who also met RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, said discussions were “positive” and stressed that the INDIA bloc remains united ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. However, he refrained from confirming whether Congress would back Tejashwi as the alliance’s chief ministerial candidate, saying that the final decision would be made after further consultation among partner parties.
The meeting comes amid growing unease within the alliance over the distribution of seats and campaign leadership in Bihar. Sources indicated that both parties are trying to resolve differences to present a cohesive front before the polls.
In a separate development, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has cancelled the nomination of RJD candidate Shweta Suman from the Mohania (SC) constituency in Kaimur district. Officials said Suman, originally from Uttar Pradesh, failed to meet the local residency requirement to contest from the reserved seat.
Suman has alleged political pressure behind the decision, claiming she has lived in the area for nearly two decades. The RJD may appeal the order.
The developments come at a critical time for the Opposition as the Bihar elections draw closer, with both strategic coordination and candidate selection emerging as major challenges for the INDIA bloc.