For Bihar elections 2025, INDIA alliance has declared Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Minister and Mukesh Sahni as the Deputy Chief Minister candidate. This announcement was made by Congress leader Ashok Gehlot. He also raised questions about the CM face of NDA.
Before the Bihar Assembly elections 2025, the Grand Alliance (INDIA alliance) has ended the long running suspense of CM face. At a joint press conference held on Thursday, senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot formally declared Tejashwi Yadav as the chief ministerial candidate of the alliance. Along with this, it was also announced to make VIP Party chief Mukesh Sahni the Deputy Chief Minister.
Tejashwi will lead, Sahani will cooperate
Giving the message of unity of the alliance, Ashok Gehlot said, “Today the INDIA alliance is standing united in front of the media. Our leader will be Tejashwi Yadav, who is the chief ministerial candidate.” He also clarified the situation regarding the post of Deputy Chief Minister. Gehlot announced, “Mukesh Sahni will be made the Deputy Chief Minister and if needed, other Deputy Chief Ministers can also be made.” He highly praised the leadership of Tejashwi Yadav and the cooperation of Mukesh Sahni.
Gehlot’s direct attack on NDA – Who is your leader?
Soon after the announcement, Ashok Gehlot launched a scathing attack on the ruling NDA alliance. Taking aim at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, he said that he remained in power for a long time, but could not do anything special for the state. Gehlot directly challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah and asked, “Our leader is brilliant, but I want to ask Amit Shah, who is your leader?”
Gehlot raised the issue of internal doubt regarding the chief ministerial face in NDA. He said, “Amit Shah is saying that the parliamentary party will decide the CM face of NDA, this means that there is still doubt.” Giving the example of Maharashtra elections, he said that BJP often fights under someone else’s leadership before the elections and later makes it its CM.
Emphasis on strength of INDIA alliance
Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram stressed on the unity of the alliance during this period. He said, “Today the INDIA alliance stands united in front of the media. The foundation of strength of this alliance was laid on the day when Rahul Gandhi worked with all the members of the INDIA alliance during the Voter’s Rights Yatra for about 17 months on the issues of society and public interest and strengthened the alliance.”