Bihar Polls: Tejashwi Yadav named Mahagathbandhan's CM candidate

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Thursday formally announced Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the forthcoming Bihar assembly elections, which will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11.

Speaking at a press conference, Gehlot said, "Everyone should be worried (about the situation in the country). This is why I can say that after consulting Kharge ji, Rahul ji, and others who are sitting here, that Tejashwi Yadav is the CM candidate for this election. He is a young person. He has a long future and the public will support him."

Gehlot, who has been appointed as Senior Election Observer by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), emphasised the challenges faced by Bihar’s citizens, particularly unemployment, and voiced concerns over the functioning of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre. "It is obvious to get worried about the condition of the country and the state. The situation is serious. The way the NDA government operates is a threat to democracy. There is polarisation. Nobody knows in which direction the country is heading. If you criticise, you are sent to jail - it doesn't matter if you are a journalist or activist. It is our responsibility to keep in mind what the country wants. The country is watching Bihar. The issue of unemployment remains. People want change," he added.

The press conference was attended by prominent leaders of the Mahagathbandhan and INDIA bloc, including CPI (ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Ram, Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha, and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) convenor Mukesh Sahani, who has been named as the Deputy CM nominee.

Mukesh Sahani said, "I was awaiting this moment for 3.5 years. The moment has now come. Not just VIP or Mukesh Sahani, lakhs of people of the party were waiting for this. BJP broke our party and poached our MLAs...At that time, we had pledged with Ganga jal in our hands - 'BJP ko jab tak hum todenge nahi, tab tak chhoddenge nahi'...Time has come, standing strong with Mahagathbandhan, we will form our Govt in Bihar and oust BJP from the state. Mahagathbandhan is united and strong. In the time to come, we will work and form our Government."

CPML leader Deepankar Bhattacharya added, "The people of Bihar have been waiting for the elections for a long time. This election is for the youth, farmers, women, and the poor... We want to assure the people that Bihar is ready... This Mahagathbandhan will fight unitedly to win the election."

The 2025 Bihar elections will see a contest primarily between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Mahagathbandhan. The NDA comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. The Mahagathbandhan, led by the RJD, includes the Congress, CPI-ML, CPI, CPM, and VIP. Additionally, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj has staked claims on all 243 assembly seats.

The election results are scheduled to be declared on November 14.