Bihar Elections: Mahagathbandhan Picks Tejashwi As CM Face, Mukesh Sahani As His Deputy

Patna: The Mahagathbandhan on Thursday formally announced RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial face for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, projecting him as the united Opposition’s challenger to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the NDA combine.

The announcement came at a joint press conference in Patna, where leaders from the Congress, RJD, Left parties and Mukesh Sahani’s VIP appeared together in a show of unity. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot represented the Congress on stage alongside Tejashwi Yadav, Pawan Khera, RJD’s Manoj Kumar Jha, VIP’s Mukesh Sahani and Left leaders.

Announcing the decision, Gehlot said, “We have full faith on Tejashwi Yadav. It is valid to announce him as the CM face of Mahagathbandhan. Mukesh Sahani will be the Deputy CM candidate of the alliance and there will be more Deputy CMs from other alliance members of the Mahagathbandhan.”

Declaring that “the country is going through tense times”, Gehlot said the Bihar elections will reflect the national mood.

“The country is facing challenges today. People want change now and Bihar’s mandate will mirror that sentiment,” he said, attacking the ruling NDA.

“The Nitish government is a threat to democracy. BJP snatched the mandate in the last election, uses money and power to win and even enjoys the Election Commission’s support,” Gehlot alleged.

RJD’s Manoj Kumar Jha hailed Tejashwi’s elevation as a “game-changer”, saying seat-sharing among Mahagathbandhan partners was a “settled matter”.

“The public decided the outcome in 2020 despite postal ballot manipulation. This time, their interest will be confirmed in how a shared vision is demonstrated,” Jha said.

Leaders from the CPI, CPI(M), and CPI(ML) struck a defiant tone. CPI(M)’s Lalan Choudhary said a “rebellion flag has been hoisted in Bihar”, while CPI’s Ram Naresh Pandey added, “The entire Mahagathbandhan is together — there is one voice.”

VIP’s Mukesh Sahani echoed the sentiment, saying, “We will oust the BJP from Bihar. The time has come to form a strong government with Mahagathbandhan.”

Senior RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui framed the contest as an ideological fight, saying, “This is a pitched battle between two forces — one targeting peace, brotherhood and a particular community, and the other defending the Constitution.”

Despite recent tensions between the RJD and Congress over seat-sharing, the Opposition leaders sought to project a united front. In the 2020 Assembly polls, the RJD contested 144 seats and won 75, while the Congress contested 70 and managed 19. This time, the RJD has announced candidates for 143 seats, the Congress for 59, and the Left parties are expected to contest around 30.

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