RJD leader Tejashwi visits Kharge’s residence for crucial Bihar meet

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday arrived at the residence of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi for a crucial meeting ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, scheduled later this year.

Yadav arrived at the residence of Kharge around 11:15 am. The two leaders are expected to form a “tentative seat-sharing plan”.

As already reported by The Tribune, the two leaders are likely to have an overview about the Bihar situation, particularly following the recent Waqf (Amendment) Act brought in by the BJP government, while the two will also likely form a “rough sketch” and “tentative seat-sharing plan” between the two parties.

Besides, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, party general secretary KC Venugopal, Congress Bihar incharge Krishna Allavaru and Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Yadav are part of the meeting. From RJD’s  side, MP Manoj Jha and MP  Sanjay Yadav are also participating.

The Congress Bihar cadre have already been directed by the party high command that they should concentrate their energies on all the 243 Assembly seats in the state. “It is to increase the winnability chances for both us and our partner, irrespective of who contests the seat,” said a source.

A Congress insider told The Tribune that the party was likely to contest on maximum 70 seats in Bihar, a number which is similar to what it had contested the last time. The above source also informed that the RJD is also expected to contest more or less on a maximum of 150 seats in the state.

However, the headache in this alliance is more for the Congress since the party is focused on backward classes, said another source. “There are OBCs, Dalits, minorities, including Muslims. Besides, we have got women faces as well. It would be a challenge for us to give voice to everyone, where it is to be ensured that no one is left out or becomes disgruntled with the party,” said a source.

Yadav, Kurmi, OBCs, including Dalits and Muslims, form the major chunk of vote in Bihar. Besides, there are Bhumihars who have also got considerable population in the state.

India