As the election dates approach, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav is likely to be declared the chief ministerial candidate by the opposition grand alliance today. Tejashwi is expected to be announced as the CM candidate of the grand alliance by the alliance parties during a joint press conference. Tejashwi, the leader of opposition in Bihar, had earlier been the Deputy Chief Minister. This announcement came a day after the Congress high command sent senior party leader Ashok Gehlot to Patna to reduce tension in the grand alliance. Amid reports of growing rift between alliance partners over the issue of “friendly fights” on some assembly seats, Gehlot met RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav at their residence in Patna.
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Gehlot, who has been appointed senior election observer by the All India Congress Committee, assured that the Indian block is “completely united” when he and Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru met the top RJD leadership. Gehlot had told that the Grand Alliance will show its strength by holding a press conference on October 23. He also criticized the BJP for running a “sponsored campaign” in Bihar to create an “atmosphere” of rift in the alliance.
Ashok Gehlot met Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi
In a last ditch effort to resolve the impasse, senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot reached Patna on Wednesday to mediate between the alliance partners.
On his arrival, Gehlot met RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav. This alliance includes RJD, Congress and many small parties. This alliance is struggling to reach consensus on about a dozen seats.
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After the meeting, Gehlot told the media, “We had a good conversation with Lalu ji and Tejashwi Yadav. There is a press conference on Thursday and everything will become clear. We will contest the elections strongly against the NDA. Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav will start the election campaign together. There are 243 seats in Bihar and sometimes there can be friendly competition on 5-7 seats. We will campaign together and win the elections.”