Congress, RJD, CPI, and VIP Clash in Bihar: Mahagathbandhan Faces Internal ‘Friendly Fights’ Ahead of Polls

New Delhi, October 28, 2025 — Despite several rounds of negotiations, the Opposition Mahagathbandhan in Bihar — comprising the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Communist Party of India (CPI), and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) — has failed to prevent internal clashes in at least 11 assembly constituencies. These contests, termed “friendly fights,” could significantly influence the outcome of the upcoming elections in a state known for its razor-thin margins.

In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, the difference between the NDA and the Opposition coalition was just 0.03% of the total vote share, translating into a gap of 15 seats. With such a narrow margin separating the two blocs, even a handful of internal contests could prove decisive in shaping Bihar’s political future.

Of the 11 constituencies witnessing intra-alliance rivalries, the Congress is directly contesting in nine, including five against RJD candidates and four against CPI nominees. The RJD and Mukesh Sahani-led Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) are also battling each other in two additional seats.

While most of these constituencies are currently represented by NDA legislators, one was earlier held by a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader who later joined the Janata Dal (United). The rest remain under Opposition control.

When questioned about the overlapping contests, state Congress spokesperson Gyan Ranjan described the move as a “strategic decision” within the alliance. He suggested that the arrangement was designed to maximize the Opposition’s reach and consolidate anti-NDA votes.

However, insiders within the party painted a more candid picture. A senior Congress leader acknowledged that these contests are “unlikely to remain friendly”, hinting at possible vote fragmentation and strained coordination on the ground.

Analysts suggest that such internal rivalries could undermine the Opposition’s unity narrative at a critical juncture. The Mahagathbandhan, which has positioned itself as the primary challenger to the NDA’s dominance in Bihar, now faces the challenge of managing local ambitions and overlapping political interests.

Political observers note that with Bihar’s electorate often split along narrow margins, even limited cross-competition within the alliance could tilt several battleground constituencies — potentially benefiting the NDA.

As campaigning intensifies, both Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD and Congress leaders will need to find a balance between collective messaging and local compulsions. The outcome of these “friendly fights” may not only determine seat arithmetic but also test the resilience and coherence of the Mahagathbandhan as a united front.