Sign in Subscribe
Bharatiya Janata Party

NDA's Indecision on Bihar CM Faces Raises Criticism

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The opposition INDIA bloc in poll-bound Bihar has moved past squabbling, with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav declared as the coalition's chief ministerial candidate. This announcement was made by Congress's troubleshooter Ashok Gehlot, who had flown down to diffuse tensions with allies. The INDIA bloc constituents, including the RJD, have been forced into "friendly fights" in about a dozen assembly seats, with some candidates pulling out of contests against allies. The NDA, on the other hand, has been indecisive about declaring a chief ministerial face for the assembly election 2025, leading to criticism from Congress leader Udit Raj.

Key Takeaways:

  • The INDIA bloc has declared RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as the coalition's chief ministerial candidate for the Bihar assembly election 2025.
  • Yadav, at the age of 35, could become the youngest chief minister of the state if the INDIA bloc comes to power.
  • The Congress has identified at least eight seats where it is contesting against candidates of the RJD and the CPI.
  • Some seats where the RJD, Left, and VIP would end up fighting each other due to the lapse of the period during which withdrawal of nomination papers was permitted.
  • Congress leader Udit Raj has criticized the NDA for its indecision on declaring a chief ministerial face for the assembly election 2025.
  • Raj drew a parallel between Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and former Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, claiming that the BJP is trying to sideline Kumar.
  • The NDA's senior leader Samrat Choudhary alleged that Yadav, a "proclaimed offender," was named the CM candidate under pressure from his father Lalu Prasad.
  • The Mahayuti alliance in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly election secured a decisive victory, with Eknath Shinde serving as chief minister until he agreed to serve as deputy chief minister under Devendra Fadnavis.

Statistics:

  • 12 assembly seats in Bihar where the INDIA bloc constituents are forced into "friendly fights."
  • 8 seats where the Congress is contesting against candidates of the RJD and the CPI.
  • 35 years is the age of Tejashwi Yadav, the coalition's chief ministerial candidate.
  • 8th seat is the number of seats in addition to the ones where the RJD, Left, and VIP will end up fighting each other.
  • 20 years is the length of time the current government has been in power in Bihar.
  • 100% is the number of candidates from the Congress and VIP who have pulled out of contests against allies.

Sources:

  • Hindustan Times, October 24, 2023

Read more