As Bihar heads toward elections in November, the opposition Mahagathbandhan — primarily comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress in the state — remains mired in indecision over its chief ministerial face. The alliance, which forms a crucial part of the national-level INDIA bloc, has yet to officially endorse Tejashwi Yadav for the top post. Congress leader Udit Raj reignited the uncertainty on Tuesday, stating, “He may be the chief ministerial face for the RJD. but the INDIA bloc's chief ministerial face will be decided collectively.” Speaking to PTI, he further added, “Look, any supporter of any party can do that (name that party's leader a Chief Minister). but the INDIA bloc's candidate has not been decided. Let us see what the Congress HQ decides.” VIDEO | On Bihar elections, Congress leader Udit Raj (@Dr_Uditraj) says, "Tejashwi Yadav may be CM face for RJD but INDIA bloc's CM face will be decided collectively." (Full video available on PTI Videos - ) pic.twitter.com/6YZwdsWIK1 — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 7, 2025 Neither the RJD nor Tejashwi Yadav has responded to Raj’s remarks. Despite being widely seen as the most viable challenger to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the Congress has refrained from formally backing Yadav. The RJD leader, son of Lalu Prasad Yadav and a two-time former Deputy Chief Minister, led his party to 75 out of 243 seats in the 2020 election, bolstering his claim to the position. In August, Rahul Gandhi avoided committing to Yadav’s candidacy, saying, “INDIA bloc partners are working. without tension. We will contest together and the results will be good.” The BJP, however, seized on this as evidence of internal discord within the alliance. Yadav, during a joint appearance with Gandhi, seemed to reaffirm his ambition to be Chief Minister while simultaneously endorsing Gandhi as the INDIA bloc’s Prime Ministerial face — a move seen as mutual political understanding. Voting in 2 phases this November The Bihar Assembly election will take place in two phases — on November 6 and 11 — with results to be announced on November 14. The polls are seen as crucial for the opposition, which aims to unseat Nitish Kumar and his allies, the BJP-led NDA, who have held power in the state since 2015.
