NEW DELHI: Former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav is set to be the chief ministerial face of the Opposition alliance, Mahagathbandhan, for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections scheduled to take place later this year. However, a formal announcement regarding this development is expected to be made at a later stage in the election cycle. Recently, Yadav was appointed as the head of the alliance’s Coordination Committee and is slated to lead the Mahagathbandhan throughout the campaign. Yadav has already begun preparations for the elections. He reiterated that the Mahagathbandhan would contest the elections with full determination and collective spirit—not for personal ambition, but to serve the people of Bihar. “Bihar has not witnessed a stable government in the last 13 years,” Yadav said. “This time, we will approach the people with a unified message and a clear purpose.” Insiders from the Mahagathbandhan alliance revealed that a key closed-door meeting took place in Patna between Yadav and Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. During the meeting, Yadav expressed concerns over several Congress leaders making public remarks against the RJD. He conveyed that such statements could damage the alliance’s unity and public perception, especially with crucial elections approaching. Yadav emphasised that if such internal discord is left unchecked, it could weaken the alliance’s electoral prospects. Gandhi reportedly acknowledged the concerns and assured Yadav that the Congress would take corrective steps to maintain unity within the alliance. The two leaders also discussed leadership planning for the upcoming Assembly elections and reached a mutual understanding to project Yadav as the Mahagathbandhan’s chief ministerial candidate. However, they agreed that a formal declaration from the Congress would be strategically delayed. In the meantime, Congress is focusing on revitalising its grassroots presence across Bihar. The party leadership has instructed its workers to ramp up ground-level activities to rebuild organisational strength and improve its electoral standing. A political analyst closely monitoring the internal dynamics of the Mahagathbandhan shared insights with The Sunday Guardian, suggesting that Congress’s provisional acceptance of Yadav’s leadership is rooted in the party’s current political weakness in Bihar. The analyst noted that Congress lacks prominent local leadership and has seen a significant decline in grassroots influence in the state, limiting its ability to assert itself within the alliance. The analyst also highlighted a deeper concern within Congress: an early announcement of Yadav as the chief ministerial face could trigger discontent among the party’s rank and file. Many Congress workers might feel alienated if it becomes clear that a leader from an allied party would head the government, which could lead to demoralisation and internal rifts. This scenario might dampen the motivation of Congress workers to campaign vigorously. To manage this sensitive situation, Congress is adopting a strategic approach. While it has informally agreed with the RJD’s proposal, it is also working to rebuild its own base. By cooperating with the RJD and leveraging the collective influence of the alliance, Congress aims to gradually restore its political relevance and operational strength in Bihar. Meanwhile, several smaller regional parties have thrown their weight behind the Mahagathbandhan following the Centre’s introduction of the Waqf Amendment Bill, which has drawn minority and secular groups closer to the Opposition. VIP chief Mukesh Sahni reaffirmed his support for the alliance, criticising the NDA for creating confusion and praising the Mahagathbandhan’s unity and commitment to the rights of the poor and backward classes. He emphasised his long-standing opposition to BJP leaders and expressed confidence in building a just and inclusive Bihar with the alliance