In a major announcement ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the Mahagathbandhan on Thursday officially named Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial face. The decision, revealed during a high-profile press conference at Patna’s Maurya Hotel, puts an end to weeks of speculation over the alliance’s leadership choice. The event was attended by senior leaders from all alliance partners, including the Congress, CPI(ML), and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP).
Adding further weight to the coalition’s social and political outreach, Vikassheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahani was announced as the Deputy Chief Ministerial candidate. The announcement reflects the alliance’s attempt to consolidate backward and extremely backward caste support, a key factor in Bihar’s electoral landscape. The backdrop of the press event prominently featured Tejashwi Yadav’s image alongside the slogan, “Bihar maange Tejashwi sarkar” (Bihar demands Tejashwi government).
This marks the Mahagathbandhan’s first joint press conference since the declaration of election dates. The leaders last shared the stage during the launch of the ‘Ati Pichhda EBC Sankalp Patra’ in September, signaling a united front. The move to project Tejashwi and Sahani as the leadership duo underscores the alliance’s strategy to blend youth, experience, and caste representation as it heads into a high-stakes electoral battle against the NDA in Bihar.
