New Delhi, Oct 23 (NationPress) After enduring weeks of internal strife and speculation, the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) in Bihar has officially named RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections. This declaration has invigorated the Opposition coalition, yet the BJP has cast doubt on whether the alliance possesses any “genuine chance” of success.

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad remarked to IANS, “It’s commendable that they have reached a decision, but is there any real chance of winning? The people of Bihar have already chosen to progress with PM Narendra Modi and CM Nitish Kumar. A decisive victory for the NDA is inevitable.”

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also responded, stating that the decision reveals the RJD’s dynastic politics.

“Everyone is aware that Lalu Prasad Yadav cannot transfer power to anyone beyond his family. Candidates were competing against one another until he granted his consent. This is indicative of anarchy. By engaging in ‘gundagardi’, Lalu Yadav is positioning Tejashwi as the CM face. This is why their coalition is disintegrating,” he stated.

BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain further added, “The RJD has relegated the Congress to a secondary position. Tejashwi Yadav has demonstrated to Rahul Gandhi his true standing. Even though Rahul’s image is absent from the campaign, some Congress figures shamelessly shared the stage with Tejashwi. The Congress has diminished its influence in Bihar.”

Conversely, Opposition leaders have celebrated the announcement as a pivotal moment for Bihar.

Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad stated, “Tejashwi Yadav is the public's favorite leader. Under the NDA's governance, Bihar has been utterly devastated. Law and order have crumbled, and unemployment is rampant. The populace has resolved to empower Tejashwi and usher in change. I congratulate him on this important decision.”

Congress leader Pawan Khera described the announcement as a “historic step,” asserting, “Today marks a significant day for Bihar. We have made a momentous declaration that has sparked joy across the state. Meanwhile, the NDA remains perplexed and has yet to disclose their Chief Ministerial candidate.”

Tejashwi Yadav responded, stating, “This is not unfamiliar territory for us. Even in 2020, we contested the elections with the people’s trust. We genuinely won, but through manipulation and narrow margins — just 12,000 votes across five seats — the results were manipulated. Our alliance has never lacked clarity. Our mission is straightforward: Bihar’s development. We have the vision, plan, and passion to cultivate a new Bihar that embraces everyone.”

Congress State President Ajay Rai expressed confidence in the INDIA Bloc's ability to form the subsequent government in Bihar.

“We wholeheartedly embrace this decision and commend the unity displayed by our leadership,” he stated.

Jan Shakti Janata Dal President Tej Pratap Yadav emphasized, “The ultimate decision will rest with the people of Bihar, not the politicians. They will determine who is worthy of leadership.”

RJD Bihar President Mangani Lal Mandal affirmed party unity, stating, “We are a unified alliance with a singular face and a capable candidate, Tejashwi Yadav.”

Meanwhile, AIMIM leader Waris Pathan criticized the Mahagathbandhan for neglecting representation.

“They can appoint Mukesh Sahani as Deputy CM, but what about the 19 percent of the population they ignored? These are the same individuals who previously claimed, ‘the greater the number, the greater the share.’ What happened to that promise?” he told IANS.

The identification of Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate was declared during a joint press conference of the alliance at Hotel Maurya, Patna.

The announcement was made by former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, accompanied by leaders of the alliance's constituent partners.

“Tejashwi Yadav is young and committed. He has honored all his promised commitments. He has a promising future. Therefore, we have resolved to contest this election under his leadership. He will be our Chief Ministerial face,” Gehlot stated.

Gehlot also named Mukesh Sahani as the candidate for the Deputy Chief Minister's position.

This decision follows an extended dispute among the constituent partners — particularly between the RJD and the Congress — regarding seat-sharing arrangements and the CM face.

According to the final agreement, the RJD will vie for 143 seats, preserving its stronghold, especially among the Muslim-Yadav (MY) voter base.

The Grand Alliance faced substantial criticism for its inability to resolve internal conflicts, even as the nomination deadlines for the second phase approached.

The primary impasse emerged due to the Congress party’s demand to contest 70 seats, matching its performance in the 2020 Assembly elections — a year in which it secured only 19 seats, achieving a strike rate of merely 27 percent.