Patna (13.10.2025): As the deadline to finalise the Opposition's seat-sharing arrangement approaches, Mahagathbandhan in Bihar is grappling with a difficult internal standoff, primarily triggered by what allies perceive as an "unrealistic" demand from the Congress.

Top leaders of the Gathbandhan are currently locked in discussions with the Congress demanding a share identical to the number of seats it contested in the 2020 Assembly elections. Sources within the alliance indicate that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the largest constituent, is firm on offering no more than 50 seats to the national party.

The Congress' demand, which allies view as disconnected from the party's current electoral performance and ground strength, is causing significant friction. A senior leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, "The Congress' insistence on replicating the 2020 numbers is unrealistic. They were unable to 'deliver the goods' then, and such a move now would only prove detrimental to the alliance, inadvertently benefitting the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in general and the BJP in particular."

This hardening of the Congress' stance has had a ripple effect, emboldening smaller allies to press their own demands. The CPI (ML) is reportedly demanding 40 seats, while the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) is now pushing for the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

The ruling NDA has already finalised and announced its seat-sharing formula, putting the onus squarely on the Mahagathbandhan to resolve its internal tussle quickly. Continuing delay in finalising the arrangement, according to political observers, could prove to be a double whammy—both hurting the alliance’s preparedness and gifting the NDA valuable time and momentum in the election campaign.