Four Mahagathbandhan candidates, including three from the Congress and one from the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), withdrew their nominations in favour of their ally, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), ahead of polling for the high-stakes Bihar Assembly elections.
While making the announcement, Ashok Gehlot described Tejashwi Yadav as a young person, highlighting his promising future and affirming the people of Bihar's support for him.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday targeted the Mahagathbandhan, saying the people of Bihar call it 'Lathbandhan' and that self-interest "is paramount" for these oppositon parties, who "don't care about the youth of Bihar".
Earlier today, in a joint press conference, the Mahagathbandhan announced RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Vikassheel Insaan Party convenor Mukesh Sahani as their CM and Deputy CM faces for the Bihar polls.
Amid speculations of a rift within the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday welcomed the move to announce Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav as the alliance's Chief Minister face in Bihar, calling it a "signal of support" for the RJD.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will also begin their campaign for the Bihar Assembly elections on October 28, after the Chhath Puja festival.
Earlier on Thursday, Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot declared Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar.
Addressing a rally in Vaishali, Nadda highlighted that over the last 20 years, Bihar has emerged from the "Jungle Raj" and witnessed significant development.
"Very few people know that I was born in Patna, Bihar. I spent 20 years of my childhood in Bihar. I know that era of darkness, and I also see this era of light. Today, this election clearly shows 'vikas' with the NDA and 'vinash' with the Mahagathbandhan. The NDA government, led by PM Mod
With the Bihar Assembly elections nearing, senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said that it was "natural for Tejashwi Yadav to be the Mahagathbandhan's Chief Ministerial face", adding that top leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, had him in mind for the role.