With Bihar Assembly elections just weeks away, political tensions within the opposition Mahagathbandhan have escalated after Congress leader Udit Raj publicly contradicted Tejashwi Yadav’s assertion that he would be the Chief Ministerial face of the alliance. Speaking to PTI on October 7, 2025, Raj clarified that while Tejashwi may be the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) choice, the INDIA bloc has not yet taken a collective decision on its CM candidate.
This statement has exposed growing unease within the alliance, which includes the Congress, RJD, CPI(ML), CPI, and other regional parties. The remarks come days after Tejashwi, during his Vote Adhikar Yatra, declared himself the face of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, triggering speculation about internal discord and unresolved seat-sharing negotiations.
INDIA Bloc’s CM Face – Current Status
| Party Name | Position on CM Candidate | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) | Tejashwi Yadav is the declared face | Assertive stance by largest partner |
| Congress | No formal endorsement | Awaiting collective decision |
| CPI(ML) | Supports Tejashwi’s leadership | Yet to issue formal statement |
| CPI | Neutral | Focused on seat-sharing |
| INDIA Bloc (National) | No official CM face announced | Prioritising unity over personality |
Udit Raj’s comments have added ambiguity to the alliance’s leadership narrative. “He may be the chief ministerial face for the RJD, but the INDIA bloc’s chief ministerial face will be decided collectively,” Raj said. He further added, “Any supporter of any party can do that (name their leader), but the INDIA bloc’s candidate has not been decided. Let us see what the Congress HQ decides.”
This comes despite visible camaraderie between Tejashwi and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi during the Vote Adhikar Yatra, where the two leaders jointly campaigned from Sasaram in an open jeep. However, Congress has remained silent on formally endorsing Tejashwi, reportedly due to ongoing seat-sharing talks and concerns over its own electoral performance.
Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 – Key Dates and Structure
| Phase | Date | Number of Seats | Districts Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | November 6 | 123 | Patna, Gaya, Nalanda, Bhojpur, etc. |
| Phase 2 | November 11 | 120 | Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Purnia, etc. |
| Result Declaration | November 14 | 243 total seats | Final tally to determine majority |
Tejashwi Yadav, son of Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, has served two terms as Deputy Chief Minister and led the RJD to 75 seats in the 2020 Assembly elections, making it the single largest party. His unilateral declaration as CM face was seen as a strategic move to assert RJD’s dominance in Bihar politics, especially as the Congress had contested 70 seats in 2020 but won only 19.
2020 Bihar Assembly Election Performance
| Party Name | Seats Contested | Seats Won | Strike Rate (%) | Alliance Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RJD | 144 | 75 | 52.08 | Lead partner in Mahagathbandhan |
| Congress | 70 | 19 | 27.14 | Junior partner |
| CPI(ML) | 19 | 12 | 63.15 | Strong left presence |
| CPI | 6 | 2 | 33.33 | Marginal role |
| BJP | 110 | 74 | 67.27 | NDA lead partner |
| JD(U) | 115 | 43 | 37.39 | NDA junior partner |
Despite Tejashwi’s popularity and grassroots connect, Congress leaders have expressed caution. Party sources indicate that the hesitation stems from concerns over seat allocation and the need to maintain balance within the INDIA bloc. The Congress is reportedly seeking a larger share of seats than in 2020, and formal endorsement of Tejashwi could weaken its bargaining position.
Political analysts believe that the Congress is trying to avoid a repeat of 2020, where its poor strike rate dragged down the alliance’s overall performance. The party is also wary of being overshadowed by regional heavyweights in state-level contests, even as it leads the INDIA bloc nationally.
Mahagathbandhan Dynamics – Strategic Challenges
| Issue | Current Status | Impact on Alliance Unity |
|---|---|---|
| Seat-sharing negotiations | Ongoing | Delay in campaign rollout |
| CM face declaration | Unresolved | Confusion among voters |
| Campaign coordination | Partial | Risk of fragmented messaging |
| National vs State roles | Tension between Congress and RJD | Leadership ambiguity |
Tejashwi Yadav has not responded to Udit Raj’s remarks, but his recent speeches have continued to project himself as the change-maker for Bihar. “When Tejashwi becomes the CM, there will be no house in Bihar which will have unemployed youth,” he said at a rally in Patna. He also criticised Nitish Kumar’s tenure, accusing him of delivering “crime, corruption, bureaucracy, tyranny and scam.”
Social media platforms have lit up with reactions to the leadership tussle, with hashtags like #TejashwiYadav, #UditRajStatement, and #BiharElections2025 trending across Twitter/X, Facebook, and YouTube. While RJD supporters have rallied behind Tejashwi, Congress loyalists have called for a more inclusive decision-making process.
Public Sentiment – Social Media Buzz on CM Face Debate
| Platform | Engagement Level | Sentiment (%) | Top Hashtags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twitter/X | 1.4M mentions | 78% divided | #TejashwiYadav #UditRajStatement |
| 1.2M interactions | 75% analytical | #BiharElections2025 #Mahagathbandhan | |
| YouTube | 950K views | 80% curious | #CMFaceDebate #INDIABlocLeadership |
| 820K views | 70% strategic | #OppositionUnity #BiharPolls2025 |
The BJP has seized on the discord, with leaders accusing the opposition of lacking clarity and unity. Union Minister Giriraj Singh said, “They can’t even decide who will lead them. How will they lead Bihar?”
In conclusion, Congress leader Udit Raj’s statement distancing the party from Tejashwi Yadav’s CM claim has reignited leadership tensions within the Mahagathbandhan. As Bihar heads into a high-stakes election, the opposition’s ability to present a united front will be crucial in challenging the BJP-JD(U) alliance. Whether Tejashwi’s projection as CM face gains formal endorsement or remains a unilateral assertion could shape the outcome of the 2025 polls.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available political statements, verified election data, and expert commentary. It does not constitute political endorsement or campaign advice. Readers are advised to follow updates from the Election Commission of India and official party channels for accurate information.
