Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, Oct 23: The Mahagathbandhan alliance on Thursday officially announced RJD leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

The announcement was made by former Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, who serves as the Indian National Congress’ senior observer for the Bihar polls. Addressing a press conference in Patna, Gehlot said the alliance had chosen Tejashwi Yadav for his “youthful energy and strong commitment” to rebuilding Bihar.

“I want to ask Amit Shah… our leader is Tejashwi Yadav. Now the NDA should tell us who their Chief Ministerial face is,” Gehlot remarked, throwing a direct challenge to the ruling alliance.

Gehlot also revealed that Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP) Chief Mukesh Sahani has been named as one of the Deputy Chief Ministerial faces of the Mahagathbandhan, adding that another Deputy CM candidate will be announced soon.

Expressing gratitude to all alliance partners, Tejashwi Yadav assured that the Mahagathbandhan would work unitedly for the welfare of Bihar. “Our focus is to rebuild Bihar and ensure inclusive growth for all,” he said.

A day earlier, Yadav had unveiled a series of welfare promises aimed at women voters, pledging permanent jobs and a monthly salary of Rs 30,000 for Jeevika Didis if voted to power.

The 2025 Bihar Assembly elections will be held on November 6 and 11, with counting scheduled for November 14. The contest will pit the Mahagathbandhan — comprising the RJD, Congress, CPI-ML, CPI, CPM, and VIP — against the NDA alliance of the BJP, JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha.

Meanwhile, political strategist Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj has announced its intention to contest all 243 seats in the state, adding another dimension to the high-stakes Bihar battle.