What was once considered smooth sailing for the Congress–RJD alliance has now been going through tough seat-sharing negotiations. Adding to the gridlock has been the third partner in the Mahagathbandhan, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani, whose demands had complicated several discussions. Party leaders admit that Sahani’s assertive stance, RJD’s non-conformist approach, and the Congress’s own demands have made the negotiations increasingly difficult, prolonging the impasse within the alliance.

There is also a sense within the RJD camp that the Congress neither holds electoral firepower nor possesses significant cadre strength that could bolster the alliance’s standing against the powerful BJP–JDU combine. RJD leaders also argue that the Congress lacks any strong regional f

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