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.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Thursday alleged a political conspiracy by the Election Commission on the behest of Union Minister Amit Shah, after the poll body allegedly cancelled the nomination of the party's candidate Shweta Suman from Mohania constituency.
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".
After the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar announced RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as their Chief Minister face, Lok Janshakti (Ram Vilas) Chief Chirag Paswan said on Thursday that there is no "natural acceptance" of Yadav's face within the opposition's alliance.
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.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday claimed that Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) "tortured" Congress and other parties in the Mahagathbandhan to declare Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate of the alliance for the upcoming Assembly 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.
Gehlot said that people of Bihar want change as they struggle with multiple issues, including unemployment. He alleged that the way the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the Centre is operating is a "threat to democracy".
Addressing an election rally in Saran's Amnour constituency in support of BJP candidate Krishan Kumar Mantoo, the Chief Minister said that the NDA government has restored the rule of law in the State.
Choudhary stated that the people of Bihar know that Lalu Prasad Yadav wouldn't hand over the reins of the state to anyone other than his family members.
Earlier today, Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot declared Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the assembly elections in Bihar, scheduled to be held in two phases on November 6 and 11.