As political heat rises ahead of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, senior Congress leader and election observer Ashok Gehlot has asserted that the Mahagathbandhan alliance is “fully united.” Addressing the media in Patna before a key press conference, Gehlot emphasized that the opposition bloc — consisting of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left parties — remains committed to fighting the election together under the banner of the INDIA alliance.

Gehlot acknowledged that there are “friendly contests” on a few seats but dismissed speculation about serious internal rifts. “Minor seat-sharing differences are normal in any large alliance. The Mahagathbandhan is strong, and our goal is clear — to protect Bihar’s democratic and secular values,” he said after meeting Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav.

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP and JD(U), has questioned the opposition’s unity, calling it “Thugbandhan” and expressing confidence in retaining power.

The Bihar elections, scheduled in two phases on November 6 and November 11, 2025, will decide the fate of 243 Assembly seats. The contest is shaping up as a crucial test for the INDIA bloc’s national relevance and a litmus test for Tejashwi Yadav’s leadership in Bihar.

With both alliances ramping up campaigns, observers say the upcoming press meet could set the tone for the opposition’s united message and strategy.