Ashok Gehlot says INDIA bloc is united despite seat-sharing deadlock in Bihar; Chirag Paswan hits back as parties prepare for Nov 6–11 polls.
Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Oct. 22 dismissed media talk of a split in the INDIA bloc over Bihar seat-sharing, calling the tensions mere “friendly fights” and insisting the Mahagathbandhan is united to take on the NDA in the November assembly polls. Gehlot said he had “a good discussion” with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, and promised a press briefing to update voters on the bloc’s joint strategy.
Gehlot acknowledged that a few constituencies — reported to be around five to seven seats — may see intra-alliance contests but urged that these should not be read as discord. He underlined plans for Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav to campaign together, arguing that “friendly contests” are common in multi-party alliances and do not weaken the larger fight against the BJP and JD(U). The INDIA bloc composition shows Congress contesting 61 seats and RJD 143, with Left parties fielding a smaller slate.
The comments drew immediate riposte from NDA camp leaders: Union minister Chirag Paswan mocked the Mahagathbandhan’s coherence, arguing timely seat-sharing by the NDA gives it an electoral edge and predicting an NDA victory on Nov. 14. Political analysts warn that unresolved seat-sharing on at least eight constituencies could influence local outcomes in Narkatiaganj, Vaishali, Rosera and other close battlegrounds.
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