- By Akansha Pandey
- Tue, 21 Oct 2025 03:20 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Confusion and infighting within Bihar's 'Mahagathbandhan' (Grand Alliance) have created a peculiar situation on one seat in the Darbhanga district, where RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav will have to campaign against his own party's candidate.
In fact, consensus could not be reached among the Grand Alliance partners during seat-sharing, and some differences remained unresolved until the final day of nominations. As a result, 'friendly fights' will be witnessed on several seats in Bihar, with allies competing against each other. However, the situation in Darbhanga's GauraBauram is particularly strange.
Even before the seat-sharing arrangement in the opposition camp was finalised, the RJD had decided to field its leader, Afzal Ali Khan, from GauraBauram. The party leadership handed Afzal his election symbol and the official documents declaring him the RJD candidate.
The Decision Changed Before He Reached Home
Following this, Afzal happily departed for his constituency, a journey of about four hours from Patna, eager to begin his election campaign. By the time he reached home, a deal had been struck between the RJD and Mukesh Sahani's Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP). The GauraBauram seat was now allotted to VIP, and all alliance partners were to support its candidate, Santosh Sahni.
The RJD leadership contacted Afzal Ali Khan and urged him to return his symbol and withdraw from the election, but he refused. The RJD leader proceeded to file his nomination as the party's official candidate.
RJD leadership informed election officials that the party does not support Afzal Ali Khan's candidacy. However, the officials stated that they could not remove Afzal Ali Khan from the race, as he had filed his nomination with the proper documentation.
Campaigning Will Be Against Their Own Symbol
Now, the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) will display the RJD's 'lantern' symbol next to Afzal Ali Khan's name, and Tejashwi Yadav will be campaigning against the candidate bearing the RJD's symbol.
The RJD, along with other Grand Alliance partners, will support the VIP candidate, Santosh Sahani. However, the confusion surrounding Afzal Ali Khan's candidacy could impact the results.
A Similar Scenario Played Out In Rajasthan
Previously, a similar situation arose during the Lok Sabha elections in Banswara, Rajasthan. Congress had initially nominated Arvind Damor as its candidate.
Later, the opposition party decided to support the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) candidate, Rajkumar Roat, and asked Damor to return his symbol.
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What Happened Next?
Damor disappeared and only returned after the withdrawal deadline had passed. This forced Congress leaders to campaign against the candidate who had the party's 'hand' symbol.
Ultimately, Roat (the BAP candidate) won the election, but Damor still managed to secure more than 60,000 votes. In close contests, this kind of confusion can significantly affect the results.
In the 2020 Bihar elections, the Gaura Bauram seat was won by VIP's Swarn Singh, though Singh later joined the BJP. In the 2010 and 2015 elections, the JDU had won this seat.