Rohtas, Mithilesh Kumar, December 24th, 2024: In a bold statement that could stir tensions within the opposition, Congress MLA from Karghar, Santosh Kumar Mishra, has demanded that the party contest 70 seats in the upcoming 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Mishra, a senior Congress leader in the region, stated that in the 2020 elections, Congress fought on 70 seats, and that it was the party’s rightful claim to field candidates on the same number of constituencies in the upcoming polls.
While addressing media persons, Mishra clarified that while there could be some flexibility in seat-sharing negotiations, Congress would not settle for fewer than 70 seats. His comments come amid ongoing discussions within the INDI alliance, a coalition of opposition parties, where seat-sharing agreements are proving to be a contentious issue. Congress’s demand for 70 seats could potentially trigger a clash with other alliance members who are eyeing a larger share of the seats, particularly in constituencies where Congress has a weaker base.
Mishra made these remarks during a visit to Karghar block headquarters, where he was attending a Panchayat Samiti meeting. While at the meeting, he also inspected various local offices and expressed dissatisfaction over the unclean conditions of the area. He instructed local officials to take immediate action to address the hygiene and sanitation concerns.
The demand for 70 seats from the Congress MLA highlights the growing friction within the INDI alliance, as parties vie for strategic positions ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. The seat-sharing talks are expected to become even more challenging as more leaders push for a larger share of seats, fueling speculation of disagreements among alliance members.
This development signals a possible strain in the opposition’s unity, raising questions about the future of the INDI alliance as the 2025 elections draw closer.
