Patna, Oct 8 (NationPress) In light of the current uncertainty surrounding the seat-sharing dynamics within the Mahagathbandhan as the Bihar Assembly elections approach, Mukesh Sahani, founder of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and former Bihar minister, asserted on Wednesday that the alliance is stable and confidently stated, 'The Mahagathbandhan is unbreakable and will lead the next government in Bihar.'

In an interview with IANS, Sahani emphasized, 'Everything is fine in the Mahagathbandhan. There are no alternatives left for any party. We must come together with those who adhere to Lalu Prasad Yadav's ideology. Whether it's the VIP, Congress, or RJD, we must heed the people's voice. To build a developed Bihar that mirrors Lalu Prasad Yadav's vision, sacrifices are necessary. Together, we are united to establish a robust government in Bihar. Collective effort is essential for Bihar's development. The Mahagathbandhan is indeed unbreakable. We will form the government.'

Regarding the seat-sharing situation, Sahani noted, 'The arrangements will be finalized by tomorrow afternoon or the day after. About 90 percent of the groundwork is already in place. Congress leaders are currently in Delhi and are anticipated to return by tomorrow. We have initiated sending our candidates to their respective constituencies to gear up for the elections.'

When questioned about claims suggesting hesitance among Mahagathbandhan partners to accept him as Deputy Chief Minister, Sahani replied, 'If some are hesitant to accept Tejashwi Yadav as Chief Minister, does that imply Bihar can function without a Chief Minister? If Tejashwi ascends to the CM role, I am ready to be the Deputy CM. The majority decides these roles. The BJP itself has acknowledged that I would be an excellent Deputy CM, indicating that wherever Mukesh Sahani aligns, that side secures the government.'

Meanwhile, the Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled to occur in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results expected on November 14.

During a media briefing, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accompanied by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, labeled the Bihar elections as the 'mother of all elections.'

'We assure the voters of Bihar that the elections will not only be smooth and exemplary but also the most peaceful, with special emphasis on maintaining law and order,' he stated.

The upcoming 2025 Assembly elections will be the first in the eastern state following the electoral roll purification under a Special Intensive Revision (SIR), resulting in a final voters' list comprising 7.43 crore electors, including 14 lakh first-time voters.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar also shared information regarding the timeline of the SIR, which had not been performed for 22 years, confirming that the final electoral roll has been distributed to all political parties.

'The window for requesting corrections in the electoral rolls remains open until 10 days prior to the filing of nominations for the upcoming elections,' he added.

The CEC also announced strategies to counter any form of 'fake news', particularly on social media, at the district level to combat misinformation.

Each of the 243 constituencies will now have its individual observer, contrasting with the previous system where one observer oversaw multiple seats.

The announcement of Bihar Assembly election dates follows the poll panel's delegation review of election preparedness in the state, engaging with representatives from all major political parties and evaluating logistical arrangements.

The term of the current 243-member Bihar Assembly concludes on November 22, necessitating elections before this date. The prior 2020 Bihar Assembly elections occurred in three phases.

Sources indicate that the schedule has been meticulously planned to avoid clashes with significant festivals such as Diwali and Chhath, which take place between October 18 and October 28. This consideration aims to ensure smooth polling and maximize voter turnout.

The 2025 elections are anticipated to be a high-stakes battle between the ruling coalition of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (United), and the opposition alliance known as the Mahagathbandhan, spearheaded by the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress.

An additional factor in the competition is Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party, which is positioning itself as a viable alternative in Bihar politics.

In the preceding Assembly elections in 2020, the National Democratic Alliance captured a majority with 125 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan secured 110. The RJD emerged as the largest party with 75 seats. This election marked a significant electoral event following the Covid-19 pandemic, with a voter turnout of 56.93 percent.

For this election, the Election Commission has implemented changes to enhance the voting experience. Each polling booth will now accommodate 1,200 voters instead of 1,500, and the number of booths will increase statewide. A total of 90,000 polling stations will be established by the election panel.