The race for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections has officially begun, and political dynamics are shifting quickly. The NDA (National Democratic Alliance) has already clarified its position, with Nitish Kumar once again being the Chief Ministerial (CM) candidate. However, the opposition alliance, Mahagathbandhan, is still grappling with a significant question: Who will be the face of the opposition?

At the center of this uncertainty is the debate between Tejashwi Yadav, the RJD leader, and Rahul Gandhi, the national leader of the Congress. Will the Mahagathbandhan support Tejashwi Yadav, who played a crucial role in the 2020 elections? Or will the Congress push for Rahul Gandhi to be the face of the alliance?

The RJD’s Stand: Tejashwi Yadav as the CM Candidate

The Mahagathbandhan, which includes RJD, Congress, Left parties, and others, remains divided on the issue of leadership. RJD, being the dominant force in the coalition, has already declared Tejashwi Yadav as its CM candidate. Tejashwi has made no secret of his ambition for the top job and has been vocal about his aspirations. In April 2025, during the ‘Mushar-Bhuiya Maharally’ in Patna, Tejashwi publicly staked his claim to become the next CM.

Tejashwi Yadav was the face of the Mahagathbandhan in the 2020 elections, where the RJD secured 75 seats, the highest for any single party, and brought the NDA to the edge of defeat. Since then, Tejashwi’s popularity has grown significantly, particularly among the youth. He has relentlessly targeted the Nitish-Modi government on key issues such as jobs and education, which have resonated with many voters, especially from the Yadav-Muslim vote bank, an essential demographic in Bihar’s political landscape.

Recent surveys have consistently shown Tejashwi as the most preferred choice for CM, second only to Nitish Kumar. However, this has not settled the debate within the Mahagathbandhan about who should be its primary face.

The Congress Push for Rahul Gandhi

The Congress party believes that if the NDA is heavily relying on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image, even with Nitish Kumar as the CM candidate, then the opposition needs a strong counterweight. Rahul Gandhi, according to the Congress, could be that counterweight.

Rahul Gandhi’s presence in Bihar has increased sharply over the past few months. He has been holding multiple rallies and participating in key protests, such as the 9 July Bihar Bandh against voter list revisions. Rahul even shared the stage with Tejashwi Yadav during this protest, marking a significant first for such a high-profile event. This has led Congress to argue that Rahul’s visibility is not just about public appearances; it’s about strengthening the opposition’s national appeal.

Rahul Gandhi: The Symbolic Face of the Opposition

Congress insiders maintain that Rahul Gandhi is not being projected as a CM candidate. Instead, they envision him as the broader political face of the opposition campaign. Congress argues that positioning Rahul Gandhi as the face of the Mahagathbandhan will help unify secular votes and provide the alliance with national coherence in its messaging.

Rahul Gandhi’s active involvement in the political landscape of Bihar is seen as crucial for the coalition. After the Bharat Jodo Yatra and Nyay Yatra, Rahul has become the central figure of the national opposition. His role in Bihar is seen as vital to strengthen the opposition’s unity and push back against the Modi-led NDA.

The Seat-Sharing Disputes

However, the push for Rahul Gandhi’s visibility is not just about electoral strategy. There are behind-the-scenes tensions over seat-sharing. Congress is pushing for more seats in the upcoming elections, citing its improved performance in the Lok Sabha elections. However, Tejashwi Yadav, encouraged by his success in the 2020 elections and the continued dominance of RJD, is not willing to give away too many seats.

Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD has shown that it holds significant sway in Bihar’s political landscape, and as such, they are unlikely to share power with Congress too easily. Congress, understanding its relatively weaker position in Bihar, is engaging in pressure politics. The party is demanding a larger role in leadership decisions to enhance its bargaining power within the alliance.

The Influence of Kanhaiya Kumar and Pappu Yadav

Another factor complicating the consensus around Tejashwi Yadav is the presence of influential but polarizing figures such as Kanhaiya Kumar and Pappu Yadav. Both of these leaders have significant followings in certain regions of Bihar, but their presence in the Mahagathbandhan has raised concerns about internal unity.

Kanhaiya Kumar, a former student leader, is popular among the younger demographic but has been accused of being a polarizing figure. Similarly, Pappu Yadav, despite his influence in some regions, is seen as controversial by certain sections of the electorate. Their involvement could weaken the Mahagathbandhan’s efforts to present a cohesive front to the voters.

The Congress’s Position on Leadership

Earlier in June 2025, Congress Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru stated that the CM face would be decided by consensus among all allies. This statement was seen as an indication that a clear endorsement of Tejashwi Yadav was still not locked in. This uncertainty has only added to the internal tensions within the Mahagathbandhan, making it harder for the opposition to present a unified strategy going into the elections.

The Timing of the Decision

As the election season gets closer, the Mahagathbandhan must settle on a leadership candidate soon. The longer they take to finalize their CM face, the more ground they risk losing to the NDA, which already has Nitish Kumar as their candidate and Narendra Modi leading the national charge.

The NDA’s unity, combined with the strong national presence of Narendra Modi, means that the opposition must act swiftly to avoid losing voter confidence. If the Mahagathbandhan cannot present a clear and united front, it could significantly impact their chances in the 2025 elections.

The Road Ahead for the Mahagathbandhan

The Mahagathbandhan is juggling seat-sharing dynamics, caste calculations, and leadership decisions. The alliance must work quickly to address these issues, especially the question of leadership. Whether it’s Tejashwi Yadav or Rahul Gandhi, the Mahagathbandhan must settle this internal debate soon to avoid further fragmentation.

If the alliance cannot resolve its leadership issue soon, it risks presenting a divided front to the voters, who may opt for the stability and clarity provided by the NDA. For now, the opposition’s unity and its ability to manage internal disagreements will be key factors in the 2025 elections.

The Bihar Assembly elections 2025 will be a crucial battleground for both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan. While the NDA has already put forward Nitish Kumar as their CM candidate, the Mahagathbandhan still faces the challenge of deciding its leadership. The debate between Tejashwi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi will determine the alliance’s direction and its ability to challenge the ruling coalition.

The next few months will be critical as both the RJD and Congress vie for dominance within the Mahagathbandhan. The internal disagreements on leadership, seat-sharing, and strategy must be resolved quickly if the opposition alliance hopes to put up a strong challenge to the NDA in 2025. The race is on, and the clock is ticking.