After weeks of hesitation and behind-the-scenes haggling, the opposition Mahagathbandhan in Bihar has finally declared Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial face. The announcement came at a packed joint press conference of all alliance partners, marking a rare moment of unity after prolonged internal dithering.
Leaders from all seven alliance constituents — RJD, Congress, CPI(ML), CPI, CPI(M), VIP, and the Indian Insaaf Party — shared the stage to project a collective front against the ruling NDA.
The alliance projected its campaign slogan of unity, signalling that the long-running suspense over leadership has finally ended. Though the announcement has been made rather belatedly, it also puts pressure on the NDA, where there is no clarity regarding Nitish Kumar as the Chief Minister face.
The grand alliance event, held on the last day of withdrawal of nominations, turned into a show of strength. The announcement that Tejashwi would helm the alliance if elected was made by Congress leader and former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, who also declared that VIP’s chief Mukesh Sahni would be the deputy CM. Gehlot added that more deputy CMs will be appointed from more castes.
VIDEO | Bihar Assembly Elections 2025: RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan’s CM candidate Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi), addressing the joint press conference, said:
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 23, 2025
"We want to tell you all that the accusations made by the BJP about jungle raj are baseless. Today, crime in Bihar… pic.twitter.com/AuQliq7K3t
Through the strategy, the Grand Alliance has not only tried to keep the flock together but also signalled other castes that their leaders will be amply rewarded. This may force the NDA to rethink its strategy in the coming days.
Tejashwi Yadav, in his address, set the tone for the campaign by asserting a “zero tolerance” policy toward corruption and crime. “I will not even spare my own shadow if found involved in wrongdoing,” he said, attempting to blunt the NDA’s frequent “jungle raj” barbs.
He thanked Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi for their faith in him, declaring, “We are not just making a Chief Minister; we are making a new Bihar.”
Yadav accused the Nitish Kumar-led government of presiding over two decades of decay. “After 20 years in power and 11 years of BJP governments at the centre, Bihar is still the poorest state. No industries, no food parks, no agro-based economy. Migration is rampant, and bureaucracy runs supreme. They have no vision, only fatigue,” he said.
Listing his promises, Yadav vowed government jobs for every family, a Rs 500 LPG cylinder, Rs 30,000 support to Jeevika Didis who will be made government employees, interest-free loans and Rs 5 lakh insurance cover. He also pledged to regularise ad hoc employees and implement welfare schemes for women and youth.
Mukesh Sahani of the Vikassheel Insaan Party, who has been promised the Deputy Chief Minister’s post, used the platform to settle scores. “I waited three and a half years for this. The BJP broke our party and threw the "son of a mallah" on the road. I vowed to dismantle this government. Now, that time has come,” he declared.
CPI(ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya drew parallels between Bihar’s political churn and national shifts. “People have waited for this change, from the youth who faced lathi charge to women burdened by debt and farmers stripped of land. This time, it’s a seven-party alliance, not five like in 2020. The national question is whether India will follow the Jharkhand or Maharashtra model,” he said. “This is a vote for the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb and against vote-chori politics.”
Lallan Chaudhary, one of the Mahagathbandhan leaders, said, “Bihar has created a joint fight against the ruling alliance, against lawlessness, privatisation, and corruption. Bihar will change; the disha of Bihar will change.”
Indian Insaaf Party chief I.P. Gupta said the Tantva community has decided to rally behind the Grand Alliance, adding a note of caste consolidation to the alliance’s narrative. Senior RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui framed the election as an ideological battle. “It’s a fight between those who target the few and those who want to save the Constitution and secularism. Bihar will respond with unity,” he said. From the Congress camp, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, “The entire country is watching Bihar. Everyone is disturbed by the current atmosphere. Farmers, youth, and the unemployed all want change. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have assessed the ground. The state is ready. Tejashwi has commitment, capability, and youth on his side.” He announced that Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi would campaign extensively in Bihar.
Yadav's promise
Yadav took direct aim at the BJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, calling this “Nitish’s last election.” “Some leaders around him and in the BJP will finish him. Even Amit Shah has not declared a CM face. They say the legislative party will decide. Why this secrecy now?” he taunted. He reminded the audience that during his brief 17-month stint in power, the Grand Alliance government “gave jobs, conducted a caste census and improved health services.” His pitch was simple: “Give us 20 months, and we will deliver in 20 months what they couldn’t in 20 years.”
Tejashwi’s final words summed up the mood: “We have taken a vow to end corruption and crime. This is not just about a Chief Minister; it’s about restoring Bihar’s pride.”
The message of unity may now lead to grand alliance leaders to paper over differences and head to the campaign with a single slogan, though some friendly fights in some seats may continue.
