RJD Denies Rajya Sabha Seat To Congress in Bihar

Patna: Cracks in the Congress-RJD alliance seemed to emerge in Bihar following the announcement by Lalu Yadav's party that it would assign both Rajya Sabha seats to its candidates. By denying Congress a Rajya Sabha seat, the RJD is asserting its primacy in Bihar which is a few months away from assembly elections.

Earlier, the Congress sought to remind its partner in the Mahagathbandhan of its earlier 'promise' to assign a seat in the Upper House to the grand old party. However, the RJD denied that it had made any such promise. The party said that it would leave the final decision to the RJD supremo, Lalu Yadav.

The Congress was slightly hopeful of Lalu Yadav yielding to its demand, but clearly, the RJD had its own compulsions.

The RJD's denial of a Rajya Sabha seat to the Congress has implications for the upcoming assembly elections. It remains to be seen whether the alliance 'dharma' which the Congress has been emphasizing, would be adhered to by its partner in the Mahagathbandhan.

Analysts reckon that the road ahead for the Congress in the alliance would be a thorny one, as RJD seems to fancy its chances in the 2021 elections.

With poll strategist Prashant Kishor stepping in with his mass mobilization of youth across Bihar, the political waters of the state have got further muddied. In this situation, the RJD reckons it stands to gain from any possible dent made into the JDU's voter base by Prashant Kishor.