Bihar: Mahagathbandhan faces trouble before assembly elections

The Mahagathbandhan in Bihar seems to be in trouble as it witnesses an internal rift. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP) have fielded their respective candidates in all the five assembly constituencies that will go to by-polls on October 21. The Mahagathbandhan in Bihar was touted to take on the NDA alliance in the state. However, reports of trouble have paved the way for the alliance. 

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Bihar's Mahagathbandhan

In the past, there have been various indications that all was not well within the 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar. RJD on August 30 came at crossroads with ally HVM after its president Jitan Ram Manjhi threw his hat in the ring for the post of the Chief Minister. There seems to be trouble brewing in the Mahagathbandhan as the fielding of the candidates by RJD, HAM and VIP shows that cracks have ensued within the alliance. The Congress in the upcoming by-polls have decided to go solo. The party has fielded its candidates in all the five seats. From Nathnagar assembly seat, the HAM has announced Ajay Rai as its candidate while RJD has fielded Rabiya Khatoon from the constituency. The Lalu Prasad-led party has fielded Ramdev Yadav from Belhar assembly constituency and Zafar Alam from Simri Bakhtiarpur seat.

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Congress to go solo

Virender Singh Rathore, Congress state secretary in-charge in a statement stated that the party has decided to go solo in the upcoming elections. He added that the party leadership seems to be strong. Furthermore, he expressed confidence of winning all the five assembly seats. This marks a crucial development for the Congress, who have up until now only contested elections along with other parties. Senior Congress leaders have often stated in the past that the party should now contest polls on its own. 

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(With ANI inputs)