New Delhi, Oct 18 (NationPress) Senior Congress leader and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat addressed the escalating tensions within the INDIA bloc as the Bihar Assembly elections approach. He reassured that all matters concerning the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) will be settled prior to the elections.

His remarks follow reports indicating that the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) has nominated candidates for several assembly seats where Congress has also declared nominees, creating friction within the coalition.

While the NDA claims that the INDIA alliance is on the brink of collapse as elections approach, Rawat dismissed these predictions, expressing his confidence in the alliance's unity and its shared objective of defeating the BJP.

In response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent comments on the reduction of Maoism, Rawat acknowledged the severity of the issue, stating, "It is accurate that Maoism expanded rapidly, but it was during the UPA administration that a specialized operation was initiated. Local forces received training, and these very forces contributed to curtailing Maoist influence."

He criticized the Prime Minister’s assertion that no previous government had taken action against Maoism, labeling it as "unfair and historically incorrect."

Reacting to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s comments regarding ‘Operation Sindoor,’ Rawat stated, "I completely agree that the habit of winning should be preserved—but the habit of deception must be relinquished."

The forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections are anticipated as a significant political challenge for both the INDIA bloc and the NDA. While NDA leaders express confidence in securing the next government in Bihar, parties within the INDIA alliance assert that a wave of change is imminent.

However, the coalition has yet to publicly address its seat-sharing disagreements, with top leaders remaining tight-lipped about ongoing negotiations.

The elections will transpire in two phases, with results announced on November 14. Prime Minister Modi, accompanied by Chief Ministers from BJP-led states, is expected to ramp up campaigning in Bihar next week, intensifying the electoral contest.