The nomination process for the second and final phase of Bihar Assembly elections was completed on Monday (October 20), but with this process, cracks and differences within the opposition ‘India’ alliance have also come to the fore. The constituent parties are facing each other on many seats, due to which questions are being raised on the unity of the alliance.

According to the Election Commission, a total of 1,314 candidates are in the fray for the first phase of elections. Voting for 121 seats will be held on November 6, while the second phase of voting will be held on November 11. After scrutiny of nomination papers, nominations of more than 300 candidates were rejected and 61 candidates withdrew their names.

RJD released the list of 143 candidates

RJD, the largest opposition party, released its list of 143 candidates late, leading to confusion on many seats. The party tried to avoid a direct conflict with the Congress, but still the candidates of both the parties are face to face in seats like Lalganj, Vaishali and Kahalgaon.

VIP candidate withdrew nomination

RJD’s differences with Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) also came to the fore. VIP candidate from Tarapur seat, Sakaldev Bind, unhappy with RJD’s stand, withdrew his nomination and joined BJP. Similarly, there is confusion among RJD candidates in Gaudaboram seat of Darbhanga, as Lalu Prasad supported one candidate while the other refused to back down.

Women’s cell president Ritu Jaiswal rebelled and announced to contest the elections as an independent candidate on Parihar seat. He alleges that the party has distributed the tickets under ‘family pressure’.

Cracks were seen in the alliance on these seats

Cracks within the ‘India’ alliance have also been seen on Bachhwara, Rajapakar and Rosra seats, where both Congress and CPI have fielded their candidates. This time Congress is contesting on 61 seats, whereas in 2020 it had contested on 66 seats. There is dissatisfaction within the party regarding ticket distribution.

Vikassheel Party got 16 seats in the alliance

At the same time, Vikassheel Insaan Party has got 16 seats, whereas earlier it had demanded 40-50 seats and the post of Deputy Chief Minister. CPI (ML) Liberation has fielded candidates on 20 seats, CPI on nine and CPI(M) on four seats.

Many dramatic incidents also took place on the last day of nominations. RJD candidate from Sasaram, Satyendra Sah, was arrested by Jharkhand Police in an old bank robbery case. This was the third arrest of ‘India’ alliance candidates, with the CPI (ML) accusing the ruling NDA of acting out of ‘political fear’.