Ahead of Bihar assembly polls, Mahagathbandhan prioritises alliance with Left parties

Ahead of upcoming Bihar election, Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress is prioritising alliance with Left parties for upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar.  assembly elections this year is significant for RJD as it will contest  polls after it drew blank in Lok Sabha elections in 2019.

Speaking to ANI, a senior leader said that party wants Left parties to fight alongside m as it would greatly boost ir chances of winning in several seats.

"For an alliance with Left parties, we are ready to give a good number of seats to m. In last two Assembly elections, and in 2019 Lok Sabha election in Bihar, whatever votes went to Left parties benefitted NDA. So an alliance with Left parties will be beneficial for us," leader told ANI here.

upcoming polls are also crucial for RJD since this is first assembly elections in Bihar which will t witness quintessential Lalu style of campaigning and his crowd-puller jibes. RJD also suffered a massive blow as HAM(S) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi left Mahagathbandhan and rejoined NDA, while Lalu's long time friend and samdhi (Tej Pratap's far-in-law) Chandrika Rai along with 5 ors quit party. sources also confirmed that seat-sharing formula of Mahagathbandhan would be anunced soon as plans are awaiting final consent of RJD founder Lalu Prasad Yadav.

READ: Bihar polls: Nitish Kumar kicks off campaign with 'Nischay Samwaad' rally on September 7

Tej Pratap Yadav kicks off election campaign with a massive rally 

Meanwhile, kickstarting his poll campaign, RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav held a massive rally in Bihar's Hasanpur Vishan Sabha constituency, completely flouting guidelines of social distancing amid COVID-19 pandemic. Sources have said that Tej Pratap is likely to contest from Hasanpur constituency amid speculations that his estranged wife Aishwarya Rai would contest from his current Mahua seat. In video, Tej Pratap's followers can be seen behind his car, capturing his video and following his cavalcade while RJD leader waved at m.

READ: Bihar CM says state has eugh arrangements for COVID; flags off Bihar polls campaign

Bihar Assembly polls

Bihar Assembly election is expected to take place in October-vember 2020. In 2015 state polls, Mahagatbandhan comprising RJD, JD(U) and Congress won a whopping majority with 178 seats in 243-member Assembly under leadership of Nitish Kumar. On or hand,  BJP-led alliance won from only 58 constituencies. 

However, a power tussle in ruling alliance kicked off with Tejashwi Yadav's elevation as Deputy Chief Minister and RJD's role as single-largest party in Bihar Assembly. On July 26, 2017, Nitish Kumar stepped down as CM citing irreconcilable differences with RJD over corruption allegations against Tejashwi Yadav. After BJP extended support to its former ally, Kumar again took oath as CM. BJP top brass has consistently maintained that JD(U) president will be alliance's CM face in upcoming Assembly polls. 

READ: Bihar polls: Tej Pratap Yadav kicks off election campaign with massive rally in Hasanpur

READ: Bihar polls: BJP parliamentary board to take decision on seat-sharing, says Sanjay Jaiswal