Tejaswi Yadav has refused to share the stage with Rahul Gandhi in the rally by the Congress President in Bihar. This hinted the rift in the Mahagathbandhan. While the RJD leader was leaving after his campaign in Khagaria district that is the part of the third phase polling, Tejaswi said that the Mahagathbandhan leaders were working very hard and campaigning in different regions of the state. They are doing their best to make sure that the concerns of the public are heard.
Tejaswi said “It is not possible for all to be at one stage. We have divided our responsibilities. In 2015, we were there in Gandhi Maidan last time. I will be there in the rally next time. There’s not a big issue in it,”. The statement, shows his cool temperament, however as per sources, the reason behind Tejaswi not attending the rally is Congress- RJD discourse over the candidature of Ranjeet Ranjan and Pappu Yadav. The rift between the two parties had already begun before the seat- arrangements were finalised.
The Congress party wanted to contest from three seats, that were, Madhubani, Nalanda and Darbhanga. The RJD party also wanted to contest from these three seats and proposed to field their candidate from the respective constituencies. Pappu Yadav who was expelled by RJD supremo, Lallu Yadav later decided to contest independently from Madhepur. Mahagathbandhan leader, Sharad Yadav is now contesting from Madhepur. RJD’s Supaul district unit in retaliation to this decision then started supporting the independent candidate Dinesh Yadav instead of supporting the Congress candidate Ranjeet Ranjan.
The rift is evident between the Mahagathbandhan members who are still unsure of the candidatures in important constituencies. The NDA leader in Bihar have questioned the absence of Tejaswi from the Rahul Gandhi led rally. Deputy CM of Bihar Sushil Kumar Modi said “In PM Modi’s rally, LJP’s Ramvilas Paswan, an ally in the NDA will also be present. It is clear that in Mahagathbandhan people of RJD are protesting. A protest is brewing inside the Mahagathbandhan. In Bihar, NDA is united while UPA is divided.” BJP has many times picked on the Mahagathbandhan over its “multiple PM faces” and “confusion” that surround the decision.
While praising Rahul Gandhi in the past, Tejaswi also mentioned that Rahul Gandhi’s leadership would only succeed if Congress President also takes along the other parties which have allied with the Congress. The friction between the grand old party and its allies is witnessed on several occasions. The other aligning parties of the Mahagathbandhan have asked for equal treatment by the Congress Party. The discontentment of other allies of the Mahagathbandhan has been clear in their statements. A party which aims to defeat the ruling force in the centre is disintegrated and rift in the party is evident with major leaders dodging occasions where the party can represent itself as a unified force.