Tejashwi Yadav, who chairs the bloc’s coordination committee, confirmed that "seat‑sharing talks have begun", though he declined to disclose specifics, describing the discussions as "internal matters" to be revealed only upon finalisation. Attended by key figures from RJD, Congress, the Left parties and the Vikassheel Insaan Party, the marathon session centred on dividing the 243 assembly seats, aligning candidates to optimise electoral gains, and reinforcing bloc unity.
The meeting followed earlier coordination efforts, notably in June, which involved formulating a common manifesto, implementing integrated campaign plans, and mobilising grassroots support. These preparatory rounds underscored the bloc’s intention to present a united front with clear messaging on youth empowerment, women’s welfare, unemployment, crime and corruption.
Amid the internal negotiations, tensions surfaced over seat entitlement allocations. RJD has reportedly insisted on contesting no fewer than 140 seats, offering a maximum of 103 seats to alliance partners—approximately 50–55 for Congress, 30–35 for the Left, and 12–20 for VIP. Both VIP and CPI‑ML have pressed for larger shares, seeking around 60 and 40–50 seats respectively, intensifying the bargaining dynamics. Yet alliance sources indicate that RJD remains firm on its boundaries, with emphasis placed on candidate viability over quota compromise.
VIP chief Mukesh Sahani, present at the meeting, hinted at broader stakes beyond seat counts. He referenced concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and joked about the deputy‑chief‑ministerial post, underscoring the competitive atmosphere within the bloc.
Tejashwi Yadav leveraged the forum to launch a pointed critique of the incumbent NDA government, accusing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s administration of intellectual bankruptcy and echoing allegations that policies such as the youth commission and old‑age pension hike had been adopted from RJD proposals. He asserted, "they are stealing our ideas", adding his belief that initiatives like the 'Mai Bahin Samman Yojana' would also be co‑opted soon.
The RJD leader further lambasted the law‑and‑order situation in Bihar, accusing the ruling dispensation of presiding over "jungle raj". When asked about comments from Union minister Chirag Paswan, who had echoed concerns over public safety, Yadav retorted that Paswan should escalate the issue at the national level.
These strong rebukes follow broader claims in recent months that voter anxieties over crime rates and governance deficits have been mounting. Analysts note that law and order has become a decisive campaign front—emerging as a liability for the incumbent regime and a rallying cry for the alliance.
Strategists within the bloc have indicated a dual focus: not only seat division but also synchronised campaigning, manifesto development, and booth‑level coordination. Tejashwi’s internal survey, examining party strengths across all seats, continues to guide candidate selection tailored to regional electoral dynamics.
Logistical coordination remains a key agenda item. Officials have emphasised the use of common alliance banners and posters at polling booths, aiming to present a unified identity that underlines shared policy priorities and voter outreach efforts.
Despite persistent inter‑party competition, the alliance has reinforced its resolve to present a cohesive alternative capable of dislodging the NDA regime. Tejashwi’s declaration that "people are fed up with the NDA government" speaks to an implicit electoral opening—a chance the alliance hopes to seize by capitalising on anti‑incumbency sentiments and projecting a credible governance narrative.
The coordination committee has scheduled further rounds of discussions, including one‑to‑one meetings between Tejashwi and senior leaders, aimed at finalising seat allocations ahead of the formal announcement of candidates. Congress figures such as Digvijay Singh and Kanhaiya Kumar have already voiced support for Tejashwi as the likely chief ministerial candidate, indicating intra‑bloc consensus on leadership projection.
As the election timeline advances, the INDIA bloc’s ability to strike a balance between internal consensus and visible external cohesion will determine its effectiveness. With both strategic planning and public positioning underway, what unfolds in the next phase of deliberations may prove decisive in charting Bihar’s political course.