The situation is becoming increasingly challenging for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) as demands from Congress and VIP are escalating, and now Left parties have also begun to exert pressure over seat allocation. For the 2025 elections, the Left parties are planning to contest approximately 65 seats together.
Patna: Bihar's political landscape is once again heating up, this time over the growing demand for seats. Ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections, the ambitions of the coalition partners are posing a significant challenge to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the largest party in the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance).
Following Congress and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), the Left parties have now started pressuring the RJD regarding seat sharing.
Aggressive Demands from Left Parties
In a development that has sent ripples through political circles, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have collectively staked claim to 65 seats. In the previous election, these three parties were allotted a total of 29 seats, winning 16. This performance has emboldened the Left parties, and they are now demanding double the number of seats.
The CPI(ML) has demanded 30 seats from the RJD. This has been confirmed by Mithilanchal in-charge and Politburo member, Dhirendra Jha. He argues that this demand is fully justified considering their performance in 2020. The CPI(ML) contested 19 seats last time, winning 12, emerging as a b pillar of the Mahagathbandhan.
CPI and CPI(M) also State their Demands
Similarly, the CPI has expressed its desire to contest 25 seats. Last time, it received only six seats, winning two. Despite this, the CPI wants to increase its number of seats, citing its organizational strength and growing support base in new areas. The CPI(M) has also claimed 10 seats this time. In the previous election, it was given four seats and won two.
Lalan Chaudhary, the state secretary of the CPI(M), said that the state committee has recommended contesting 10 seats, though the final decision will be taken by the central committee.
A Challenge for the RJD
Congress and VIP are already demanding a larger share in the Mahagathbandhan. While Congress wants more seats citing its historical base and all-India presence, VIP is aiming to secure its share based on its support among certain extremely backward castes in the state. These aggressive demands from the Left parties are making the equation even more difficult for the RJD to manage.
This situation is uncomfortable for the RJD leadership, as it needs to satisfy all coalition partners while also maintaining its own seat share. If the demands of the coalition partners are met, it will directly impact the RJD's number of seats.
Left Parties Eyeing Seemanchal and South Bihar
The CPI(ML) has demanded new seats in Seemanchal and North Bihar, while the CPI aims to expand its influence in South Bihar. The CPI(M) also plans to broaden its electoral reach, indicating that the Left parties are no longer confined to their traditional bholds. Political analysts believe that if a mutually acceptable solution is not found regarding these seat demands, it could question the unity of the Mahagathbandhan. Failure to formulate a concrete strategy soon on seat sharing could lead to internal friction and public discontent.
