Chirag Paswan questions Tejashwi Yadav’s ‘acceptance’ as Grand Alliance’s CM face

Patna, Oct 2025 : After the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) in Bihar announced RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief and Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Thursday questioned whether Yadav enjoyed any “natural acceptance” within the opposition bloc.

Speaking to the media in Patna, Paswan mocked the manner in which Tejashwi was declared the alliance’s CM face, suggesting that the decision reflected deep internal divisions and power struggles among the Grand Alliance partners.

“After so much fighting, quarreling, and pleading — or by creating fear — if you have been accepted as the Chief Ministerial face, what kind of acceptance is this?” Paswan asked. “If your candidature has emerged after such a struggle, it clearly means there is no natural acceptance for you within your alliance.”

Paswan’s remarks came shortly after the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) formally announced Tejashwi Yadav as the chief ministerial face for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The decision, taken after a series of closed-door meetings between the alliance partners, reportedly followed prolonged internal wrangling over seat-sharing and leadership.

NDA stands united behind Nitish Kumar

Contrasting the Grand Alliance’s internal conflicts with the unity of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Paswan reaffirmed that the NDA would contest the elections under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

He said, “We have repeatedly made it clear that the NDA is contesting under Nitish Kumar’s leadership. Since our alliance consists of five parties, the process of electing the leader at the meeting of MLAs after the results is normal. I am confident that once again, Nitish Kumar will take oath as the Chief Minister after November 14.”

The NDA, Paswan emphasized, remains cohesive and well-prepared for the elections, with all its partners — the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha — working in coordination.

He added, “The elections are being fought under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, and he will continue as Chief Minister. On the other hand, the Grand Alliance has sidelined all other leaders to project just one face.”

Grand Alliance lines up for a tough contest

The RJD-led Grand Alliance comprises the Congress, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Dipankar Bhattacharya, and Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP).

Despite projecting Tejashwi Yadav as their unified face, reports suggest that several alliance partners were initially reluctant, citing leadership concerns and coordination issues within the bloc. Paswan’s comments on the “lack of natural acceptance” appeared to underline these underlying tensions.

Adding another dimension to the contest, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj Party has announced that it will contest all 243 Assembly seats, positioning itself as a third front in the state’s increasingly crowded political field.

Election schedule and outlook

The Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases, on November 6 and 11, with the results scheduled to be declared on November 14.

Political observers say the election is shaping up as a direct face-off between the NDA and the Grand Alliance, with both sides relying heavily on their leaders’ personal appeal and coalition arithmetic.

While the NDA seeks continuity under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, the Grand Alliance is banking on Tejashwi Yadav’s youth appeal and promise of change. However, Paswan’s sharp remarks suggest that questions over unity and acceptance within the opposition camp may continue to haunt them through the campaign.