Patna: In a key development ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) has announced RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate. The announcement was made by Congress leader Ashok Gehlot during a press conference. Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani has been named the alliance’s deputy chief ministerial candidate.
Ashok Gehlot stated that the people of Bihar are ready for change and asserted that the BJP will not be able to retain Nitish Kumar as chief minister. Tejashwi Yadav emphasized that the alliance’s goal is not only to form the government but also to rebuild Bihar. He expressed gratitude to senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi for their support, while accusing the NDA of lacking a clear development agenda and merely replicating the coalition’s election promises.
The announcement sparked some controversy as Rahul Gandhi’s photo was absent from the alliance posters, which featured only Tejashwi Yadav. In the upcoming elections, RJD is contesting 143 out of 242 seats, Congress 61 seats, and CPI-ML 20 seats. The two-phase polling is scheduled for November 6 and 11, with counting on November 14. In the 2020 Assembly elections, RJD won 75 of the 144 seats it contested, while Congress won 19 of the 70 seats it contested.
Congress Emissary of Bihar @ashokgehlot51 confirms!
➡️Tejashwi Yadav will be Mahagathbandhan CM candidate and Mukesh Sahani Deputy CM face for MGB.
➡️MGB also promised multiple Deputy CMs for Bihar. #Bihar #BiharElections2025 #TejashwiYadav #MukeshSahani pic.twitter.com/TyjXIoZ7kX— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) October 23, 2025