I.N.D.I.A. Bloc Faces Seat-Sharing Crisis Ahead of Bihar Elections

Negotiations within the I.N.D.I.A. bloc in Bihar have reached a critical juncture as the Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) struggle to agree on seat-sharing arrangements ahead of the upcoming elections. The Congress party has asserted its desire to contest a total of **60 seats**, while the JMM, dissatisfied with the distribution offered, has declared its intention to field candidates in **six seats** independently.

Ongoing discussions aim to persuade both parties to reconsider their demands, with hopes for a resolution in the coming days. According to insiders, strategists from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress are engaged in back-channel conversations to finalize the agreement. The Congress is likely to maintain its stance on **60 seats**, while efforts are underway to encourage the JMM to limit its candidacy to three specific seats: Katoria and Manihari, both designated for Scheduled Tribes, and Pirpainti, which is a Scheduled Caste seat.

The JMM’s announcement of its independent candidacy came after failing to secure the **12 seats** it had initially requested from the Congress and RJD. In a statement, the party indicated it would “review” its alliance with both the Congress and RJD following the Bihar elections. The RJD, on the other hand, is insisting on contesting no fewer than **135 to 140 seats**, positioning itself as the principal opposition force in the state. It has requested the Congress limit its candidacy to between **50 and 55 seats**, a demand that has emerged as a central point of contention.

With negotiations ongoing, both the Congress and RJD have begun announcing candidates independently, resulting in rival candidates from the I.N.D.I.A. bloc contesting in at least **11 constituencies**. These include Vaishali, Tarapur, Bachhwara, and several others, leading to confusion among voters and diluting the bloc’s collective impact.

A significant obstacle in the negotiations is the question of the alliance’s chief ministerial candidate. The RJD is advocating for **Tejashwi Yadav** as the face of the alliance, while Congress leadership appears hesitant, further straining relations between the parties. This division has already led to both parties contesting against each other in critical constituencies such as Vaishali and Lalganj.

As the deadline for candidate nominations approaches on **October 17, 2023**, the Congress has released a single list of **48 candidates**, whereas the RJD has published two lists totaling **46 candidates**. Observers note that the delay in reaching a consensus on seat-sharing has afforded the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) a potential advantage in the impending elections.

Despite these challenges, there remains cautious optimism that an agreement will be reached shortly. Should a pact be finalized, the I.N.D.I.A. bloc plans to unveil a common manifesto and host a major rally at **Gandhi Maidan in Patna**, which is expected to attract senior leaders from the alliance. The outcome of these negotiations could significantly influence the electoral landscape in Bihar, shaping the strategies and alliances of political parties for years to come.