Patna, March 17 (NationPress) In the aftermath of the Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar, tensions have emerged within the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance).

Independent MP from Purnea, Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, has publicly criticized Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition, for his inability to establish consensus and coordinate with party leaders.

Pappu Yadav asserted that Tejashwi was aware of the prevailing political dynamics yet failed to organize meetings or engage essential stakeholders like the state president and the Congress in-charge. He called this neglect a dereliction of responsibilities, stressing that a unified strategy should have been devised prior to the elections.

During the Rajya Sabha elections held on Monday, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won all five seats, marking a significant defeat for the opposition alliance. The absence of four Mahagathbandhan MLAs during the voting process critically impacted the election results, favoring the NDA.

Among the victorious candidates, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP National President Nitin Nabin each received 44 votes, while Upendra Kushwaha and Ramnath Thakur garnered 42 votes. The Mahagathbandhan's candidate, Amarendra Dhari Singh, only managed to secure 37 votes.

After tallying the second-preference votes, the NDA clinched the fifth seat with the triumph of BJP candidate Shivesh Ram.

According to the strategy outlined by the Mahagathbandhan, they had the backing of five MLAs from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, led by Asaduddin Owaisi, along with one MLA from the BSP.

However, the absence of four MLAs—Congress legislators Surendra Kushwaha (Valmiki Nagar), Manoj Biswas (Forbesganj), Manohar Singh (Manihari), and RJD MLA Faisal Rahman (Dhaka)—was pivotal and dashed the alliance’s expectations. Congress MLA Manoj Biswas later stated that he abstained from voting based on directives from Bihar Congress State President Rajesh Ram, due to dissatisfaction with candidate selection.

Similarly, Surendra Kushwaha condemned the leadership, alleging that no candidates from the Backward, Dalit, or Mahadalit communities were nominated, claiming that the candidate was imposed, which led to his non-participation.

In response to allegations of horse-trading made by Tejashwi Yadav, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, countered that the opposition leader ought to first rectify the disunity within his own alliance.

He remarked that Tejashwi had failed to maintain unity and subsequently confined MLAs to hotels.

Echoing similar sentiments, JD(U) Chief Spokesperson Neeraj Kumar criticized Tejashwi Yadav, stating that the election results reflect both public sentiment and moral accountability, particularly highlighting the timing during the sacred month of Ramadan.