Speaking in an exclusive interview while riding the supplementary Adhikar Yatra through districts bypassed earlier during the main Opposition march, Yadav stressed that the people would ultimately decide who the CM will be. He said decisions on seat-sharing and leadership will follow logical political negotiation. “Wait a little bit,” he told NDTV. “It is the people who would decide on the Chief Minister... It makes no difference if there is a delay of five or ten days.”
Tejashwi’s climb to become the Alliance’s CM face has met both endorsements and resistance within the coalition. Some Congress leaders have come forward to support his claim, saying there is no viable alternative. Others, including the JD, maintain reservations. They accuse him of asserting his candidacy unilaterally and label such behaviour as premature without consensus from all constituents.
The supplemental Adhikar Yatra itself is being interpreted by political observers as Yadav’s effort to shore up grassroots support while reinforcing his leadership profile within the Alliance. He has used the campaign to critique the current Nitish Kumar-led government on issues such as unemployment, public safety, corruption and administrative inefficiency. Thousands are reportedly turning out wherever the yatra passes, responding to his critique of “tired leaders” and institutions perceived as disconnected from youth and everyday citizen concerns.
Within the broader INDIA bloc, Yadav has affirmed allegiance to Rahul Gandhi as the Opposition’s Prime Ministerial face, even as the state-level leadership question remains unsettled. While Rahul Gandhi has not rejected Tejashwi’s ambition as CM, he has avoided giving an explicit endorsement. This ambiguity feeds into speculation around when the Alliance will formally announce its CM candidate.
Seat-sharing negotiations among the alliance partners remain in progress. Yadav has said that once seats are allocated, leadership issues including the CM face will be resolved. Prior instances of his declaring himself as the CM face have stirred controversy among allies who demand joint decision-making.