The INDIA bloc has officially named RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial face for the upcoming Bihar elections. Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said the decision has full backing from Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.

Tejashwi Yadav Named INDIA Bloc’s CM Face as Alliance Seeks to Project Unity Before Bihar Polls

Patna: In a bid to silence speculation and project cohesion ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the opposition INDIA bloc on Thursday announced RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate.

The announcement came after a consensus meeting led by senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, who said the decision was endorsed by Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. “After discussions with our top leadership and coalition partners, we have unanimously chosen Tejashwi Yadav as our CM face,” Gehlot said at a joint press briefing.

Gehlot added that the alliance plans to appoint leaders from diverse communities, including Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahni, as deputy chief ministers if the bloc wins power—an apparent nod to Bihar’s intricate caste dynamics.

Speaking at the event, Tejashwi Yadav thanked his allies for reaffirming faith in his leadership. “This was not a point of contention for us, but since there was a media buzz, we wanted to make things clear,” he said, promising to lead a united campaign.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said the INDIA bloc had taken the lead by revealing its chief ministerial candidate, challenging the NDA to declare its own.

The NDA, however, seized the opportunity to highlight perceived cracks within the opposition alliance. BJP leaders mocked the bloc’s campaign visuals, pointing out the absence of Rahul Gandhi’s photo on posters featuring Tejashwi. JD(U) leaders dismissed Yadav’s candidature as “symbolic,” recalling his party’s poor show in the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Analysis: Tejashwi’s nomination is both a tactical and symbolic move—an attempt to consolidate anti-NDA votes and reenergize the RJD-Congress base. However, managing internal expectations within the INDIA bloc will be critical, especially as caste representation and leadership visibility remain contentious. For voters, this could be a test of whether opposition unity translates into credible governance promises rather than just electoral arithmetic.