Bihar Elections 2025: Seat-Sharing Talks Heat Up, Mukesh Sahani Reacts to Congress Getting 66 Seats

The political landscape of Bihar is witnessing fresh momentum as seat-sharing negotiations within the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) take center stage ahead of the 2025 Assembly Elections. Reports suggest that the Congress party could be allocated around 66 seats under the alliance framework. This speculation has sparked significant debate, drawing attention to the role of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and its chief, Mukesh Sahani, who has shared his perspective on the matter.

The developments highlight the complexities of coalition politics in Bihar, where every seat carries weight and alliance management is critical to securing electoral success. As negotiations progress, political parties are balancing aspirations, ground strength, and the need for unity against the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The Context of Seat-Sharing in Mahagathbandhan

Seat-sharing discussions are always a delicate matter in Bihar’s coalition politics. The Mahagathbandhan, currently comprising RJD, Congress, Left parties, and VIP, faces the challenge of accommodating diverse interests while presenting a united front.

In 2020, Congress contested 70 seats but won only 19, raising questions about its electoral strength. This time, reports indicate that the Congress may settle for 66 seats, reflecting both negotiations and ground realities.

(For deeper context, read our analysis on Bihar Election 2025: NDA vs Mahagathbandhan Strategies).

Mukesh Sahani’s Stand

Mukesh Sahani, known as the “Son of Mallah,” represents a significant vote bank through his VIP party, which draws strength from the Nishad community. Speaking on the Congress seat-sharing speculation, Sahani emphasized that equitable representation of all allies is essential for the success of Mahagathbandhan.

He refrained from direct criticism of Congress but pointed out that the strength of smaller allies should not be underestimated. Sahani stated that seat distribution must reflect the ground realities and social equations in Bihar, not just the legacy of larger parties.

(Earlier, we covered how Smaller Allies Shape Big Electoral Outcomes in Bihar).

Why 66 Seats for Congress?

The reported allocation of 66 seats is based on several factors:

• Congress’s historical claim to a sizeable share within the alliance.
• RJD’s dominant role as the largest partner.
• The need to balance Left parties and VIP within the arrangement.
• Avoiding friction that could weaken the alliance’s voter appeal.

While Congress leaders may view 66 as fair, critics argue that its performance in 2020 does not justify such a large share.

Political Reactions Across Bihar

• RJD’s cautious tone: As the anchor party of Mahagathbandhan, RJD leaders are maintaining silence, signaling behind-the-scenes negotiations.
• Congress cadres: Many local leaders are pushing for more seats, claiming they have improved their ground network since 2020.
• Opposition NDA: BJP and JD(U) leaders have mocked the alliance, calling it “fragile and opportunistic.”

(See our earlier story on NDA’s Bihar Strategy for 2025 Elections).

The Role of Mukesh Sahani and VIP

Mukesh Sahani’s importance lies not in the number of seats contested but in his community influence. The Nishad vote, spread across multiple districts, can tilt results in close contests.

By asserting his voice in the seat-sharing talks, Sahani is signaling that VIP will not be sidelined. His bargaining power also depends on whether Mahagathbandhan believes it cannot afford to alienate his community base.

(Read more on Mukesh Sahani’s Political Journey and Impact).

Challenges Before Mahagathbandhan

The alliance faces several hurdles:

• Reconciling the demands of Congress with ground realities.
• Ensuring smaller partners like VIP and Left parties feel respected.
• Preventing seat-sharing disputes from spilling into public criticism.
• Maintaining a united narrative against the NDA’s organizational strength.

Failure to manage these issues could risk the perception of Mahagathbandhan as disunited — a vulnerability the NDA is ready to exploit.

Bigger Picture: Bihar’s Coalition Politics

The unfolding seat-sharing debate is a reminder of how coalition arithmetic defines Bihar elections. Unlike single-party dominance in some states, Bihar has long been shaped by alliances that balance caste, community, and regional interests.

The Mahagathbandhan’s ability to finalize a credible, balanced seat-sharing formula will play a decisive role in shaping the 2025 election outcome.

(Explore Why Seat-Sharing Deals Decide Bihar Elections).

Conclusion

As the Bihar Elections 2025 draw closer, the reported allocation of 66 seats to Congress has reignited debates within the Mahagathbandhan. While Congress sees it as recognition of its role, leaders like Mukesh Sahani insist that all allies must receive fair treatment.

The final formula will test the alliance’s ability to remain cohesive and convince voters that it offers a stable alternative to the NDA. For now, Bihar’s political stage remains alive with speculation, strategy, and the age-old test of coalition management.