As rumours of rift over seat sharing intensify, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot visited Patna to meet Tejashwi Yadav and calm tensions within the Bihar Mahagathbandhan. Gehlot clarified that minor differences over seats are normal in large alliances
Former Rajasthan CM Ashok gehlot. Filepic
While the rumours about a conflict within the Mahagathbandhan over seat sharing in the Bihar assembly are fuelling the fire, senior leaders have stepped up to take things under control.
Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday assured that the INDIA Bloc is "fully united" after he and AICC Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru met with Rashtriya Janata Dal's top leadership, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav.
Ashok Gehlot after meeting Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav also informed that the Mahagathbandhan will hold a press conference tomorrow to show the strength of the alliance. He also slammed the BJP for running a "sponsored campaign" in Bihar to create an "environment" that would suggest a rift within the alliance.
Earlier in view of calming things down within the alliance, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday reached Patna. After reaching Patna, the Rajasthan ex-Chief Minister visited Bihar Leader of Opposition (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav’s residence. Sources say that Ashok Gehlot’s visit to Tejashwi’s residence was mainly focused on resolving the issue of "friendly fight" within the Mahagathbandhan, as per ANI.
Ashok Gehlot, who has been named as Senior Election Observer by the All Indian Congress Committee (AICC) for the assembly polls in Bihar, was accompanied by state Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru, reported ANI.
Ashok Gehlot, who arrived in Patna today, clarified that there is no significant conflict within the Mahagathbandhan. The ex-Rajasthan Chief Minister further said that minor differences over a few seats in the 243-member alliance are normal and not unusual in any state-level coalition.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Ashok Gehlot said, "There is no dispute in Mahagathbandhan, focusing on 243 seats, and in such a large alliance, having differences over 5 to 10 seats is nothing unusual. In any state where there's an alliance, it's possible that conflicts may arise over a few seats. There are friendly fights, and that happens in all other states as well. Mahagathbandha remains firm against the BJP and JD(U)," as cited by news agency ANI.
Ashok Gehlot reached Patna on Wednesday to resolve the issue of "friendly fight" within the opposition Mahagathbandhan.
Earlier in the day, Tejashwi Yadav ruled out "any dispute" within the Mahagathbandhan, saying that everything will be cleared by tomorrow.
Tejashwi Yadav, while addressing the press conference on Wednesday, further said that "There are no disputes. You will get all the answers tomorrow," as cited by news agency ANI.
The RJD on Monday released its list of candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections, fielding 143 contenders across the state. The official list was released on the last day of nominations for the second phase. 24 women candidates are among the 143 named as contestants.
After comparing the candidate lists from the RJD and Congress for the Bihar assembly elections, it is evident that there are some common seats where both parties have fielded candidates, despite being part of the Mahagathbandhan.
(With inputs from ANI)
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