Rahul Gandhi, Kharge Resolve Congress

Rahul Gandhi and Kharge Step In to End Congress–RJD Seat-Sharing Deadlock Ahead of Bihar Polls.

In a significant political development ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge have personally stepped in to resolve the ongoing seat-sharing impasse with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). According to sources, both leaders held a telephonic conversation with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Thursday, aiming to break the deadlock that has threatened to disrupt the unity of the Grand Alliance. With nominations for the first phase of the polls already underway and the filing deadline drawing near, the delay in reaching a consensus has raised concerns among alliance partners. The dispute primarily revolves around the number of constituencies to be allotted to Congress and control over certain traditional strongholds. Initially, the RJD had offered 52 seats to the Congress, an offer promptly rejected by the latter, which insisted on contesting at least 60. As negotiations between state-level leaders reached a stalemate, the responsibility of finding common ground shifted to the top leadership. Reports suggest that following the intervention of Rahul Gandhi and Kharge, the RJD has shown flexibility, agreeing to allocate 61 seats to Congress. However, it remains firm on retaining some key constituencies, including Kahalgaon — an RJD bastion — as well as Narkatiyaganj and Vasaliganj. Discussions also touched upon Chainpur and Bachwara, though these were seen as relatively less contentious. The Congress’s initial assertiveness stemmed from its belief that Rahul Gandhi’s “Vote Adhikar Yatra” had rejuvenated the party’s presence and improved its standing in Bihar, where it has long struggled to regain relevance. Yet, as the nomination deadline loomed, the party appeared more willing to compromise to preserve the larger unity of the Grand Alliance. The outcome of the high-level talks remains to be seen, but the involvement of both Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Prasad Yadav signals an urgent attempt to keep the alliance intact. With the first phase of elections fast approaching, the resolution of this seat-sharing tussle could play a decisive role in shaping the political landscape of Bihar and determining whether the Grand Alliance can present a united front against its rivals.