KKN Gurugram Desk | As the Bihar assembly elections 2025 approach, a fresh rift has emerged within the India Alliance (INDIA bloc) following comments by independent MP Purnia’s Rajesh Ranjan, better known as Pappu Yadav, aimed at coordination committee chair Tejashwi Yadav of RJD. Pappu has urged Tejashwi to refrain from acting like a “headmaster” in determining which candidates run from which party, stating that such decisions should rest with individual party leadership, particularly the Congress central and state committees.
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Pappu Yadav’s Public Counsel to Tejashwi
Addressing media in Patna, Pappu Yadav made these remarks without directly naming Tejashwi:
“Don’t act like a headmaster. Each party is capable of choosing its own candidates. In Congress, whom we field is decided by our in-charge and leadership.”
Similar cautions come after Bihar Congress state in-charge Krishna Allavaru clarified that although Tejashwi heads the INDIA bloc coordination committee, he is not necessarily the Chief Ministerial face, and individual seat allocations should stay within party jurisdictions .
Rising Tensions Post-Coalition Meeting
On June 12, leaders of the INDIA bloc convened at Tejashwi’s Patna residence, instructing all alliance partners to submit their desired constituency lists . While the coalition projected unity, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) hadn’t been invited—highlighting exclusionary tactics . Pappu’s harsh critique therefore reflects growing intra-bloc discord.
Why the “Headmaster” Label Matters
Pappu’s “headmaster” analogy carries political weight:
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Tejashwi’s growing assertiveness: Seen by many as the alliance’s leader, his control over distribution decisions may seem overreaching.
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Desire for internal autonomy: Pappu asserts that each party deserves freedom to elect its candidates—a crucial point for alliance solidarity.
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Congress pushback: Senior leaders like Allavaru bluntly distinguished between committee oversight and candidate decisions .
This tension threatens to muddy the INDIA bloc’s public narrative of unity and shared leadership.
Stakeholder Responses
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Congress insiders: Insist that seat selection authority lies with party machinery, not bloc leadership.
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Pappu Yadav: Holds influence in Seemanchal and Purnia; warns that overreach could fracture local support.
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Tejashwi Yadav and RJD: Need to balance coordination with autonomy to avoid backlash.
Sources say internal discussions are underway at the state level to clarify these roles ahead of seat-sharing finalization .
The Mechanics of India Bloc Coordination
The coordination committee, chaired by Tejashwi, is tasked with:
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Harmonizing seat negotiations
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Planning messaging and ground strategy
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Deploying campaign teams
However, key decisions—like who runs in which constituency—remain traditionally within individual parties. The upcoming June 15 legislators’ meeting in Patna will further articulate Congress’s stance on the CM face and seat distribution .
Potential Fallout if Discord Deepens
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Delayed seat-sharing deal: Could prevent INDIA bloc from mounting coordinated campaigns against NDA.
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Internal rivalries: Public skirmishes might ally grievances, especially in Seemanchal where Pappu’s influence is significant.
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Electoral impact: Voter confidence risks erosion if perceived as a disunited coalition.
Comparison: NDA vs. INDIA Bloc Coordination
While INDIA bloc navigates internal tensions, NDA partners—BJP and JD(U)—are reportedly making faster progress on seat-sharing without public conflict. That speed could become a strategic advantage .
