As Bihar prepares for the high-stakes assembly elections scheduled in two phases on November 6 and November 11, political leaders are intensifying their campaigns, outlining both governance plans and symbolic gestures aimed at consolidating support from key communities. In this context, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has made headlines by hinting at a plan to have multiple deputy chief ministers if the opposition’s grand alliance, the Mahagathbandhan, comes to power. His statements emphasize inclusivity, indicating that at least one Muslim and one Dalit leader could occupy the post of deputy chief minister in the next government.

Tejashwi Yadav, the chief ministerial face of the Mahagathbandhan, made these remarks in an interview with India Today, reiterating the alliance’s commitment to forming a government that addresses the concerns of various sections of society. While speaking about representation, he specifically referred to the possibility of including a Muslim and a Dalit as deputy chief ministers, reflecting the coalition’s strategy to balance political power and community representation in the state’s executive. These comments come in the backdrop of Congress troubleshooter Ashok Gehlot’s suggestions regarding multiple deputy chief ministers, which have been discussed in relation to the Mahagathbandhan’s governance blueprint.

Historically, Bihar’s politics has been marked by an interplay of caste and community considerations, and the issue of deputy chief ministers has often carried symbolic significance. The Mahagathbandhan’s promise of inclusive representation is aimed at reassuring marginalized groups, including Muslims and Dalits, that their voices will be reflected at the highest levels of state administration. Tejashwi emphasized that concerns raised by various communities will be addressed under the alliance’s prospective governance model. In a pointed reference to Ashok Gehlot’s remarks on multiple deputy chief ministers, he indicated that the alliance’s approach would be comprehensive and inclusive.

Earlier, in an interview with Hindustan Times (HT), Tejashwi had made similar observations. At that time, he responded to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s criticism regarding the selection of deputy chief ministerial candidates from particular communities. “The BJP has issues with a representative from Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) being declared a Deputy CM face. Their IT cell has been trolling us for not naming a representative from a community they would otherwise call infiltrators,” Yadav said. While he did not confirm that a Muslim would definitively occupy a deputy chief minister’s post, he made it clear that the possibility was open. “We are not ruling out that possibility. Let’s wait and watch. It can be from any community,” he added, signaling flexibility in the alliance’s approach while highlighting the political messaging for minority and marginalized voters.

The discussion over deputy chief ministers is part of a broader narrative of coalition governance in Bihar, particularly given the complex seat-sharing arrangements within the Mahagathbandhan. Ashok Gehlot, who was brought into the INDI bloc last month to help manage internal differences, highlighted that minor disagreements and friendly contests between alliance partners should not be construed as discord. This emphasis on alliance unity is crucial as the Mahagathbandhan seeks to counter the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which has its own manifesto and campaign promises aimed at consolidating its electoral base.

The Bihar assembly elections involve all 243 seats in the state, with voting divided into two phases—121 seats in the first phase and the remainder in the second. Counting of votes is scheduled for November 14, and the political atmosphere has been intense, with both the ruling NDA and the opposition bloc actively mobilizing supporters and releasing manifestos outlining governance priorities.

The Mahagathbandhan’s manifesto, titled “Bihar ka Tejashwi Pran,” focuses on social welfare and economic empowerment, promising government jobs, free electricity, and the restoration of the old pension scheme. Notably, it pledges that every family will have at least one member employed in the government within the first 20 months of the new government’s tenure. This emphasis on employment and welfare has been designed to resonate with both traditional vote banks and economically marginalized groups, including EBCs, Dalits, and Muslims.

Meanwhile, the NDA’s manifesto, “Sankalp Patra,” prioritizes large-scale job creation, education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and women’s empowerment. It promises the creation of 10 million jobs and a range of social and economic initiatives aimed at uplifting marginalized communities. Key provisions include ₹10 lakh financial assistance for business and entrepreneurship for members of the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), who constitute roughly 36% of Bihar’s population. Additionally, the manifesto promises ₹2,000 monthly for Scheduled Caste students pursuing higher education and the establishment of a high-power commission to study the socio-economic conditions of these communities for targeted interventions.

Tejashwi Yadav’s emphasis on inclusive governance, particularly his reference to multiple deputy chief ministers, can be seen as both a strategic political maneuver and a reflection of the Mahagathbandhan’s stated commitment to equitable representation. In a state where caste and community dynamics heavily influence voting patterns, offering symbolic representation at the executive level sends a strong message to voters about the alliance’s priorities. By highlighting the possibility of including Muslim and Dalit leaders in prominent positions, Tejashwi aims to consolidate support among communities that have historically faced political marginalization.

Political analysts note that the deputy chief minister discussion, while symbolic, carries real electoral weight in Bihar’s context. Communities that perceive themselves as underrepresented or excluded from governance often respond positively to such gestures, which may translate into tangible votes. Moreover, it allows the Mahagathbandhan to position itself as a coalition attentive to the aspirations of minority and backward sections, contrasting with the NDA’s governance model that primarily emphasizes large-scale economic and infrastructure initiatives.

The focus on multiple deputy chief ministers is not merely a ceremonial move; it reflects a broader intent to create a more inclusive administrative structure that addresses community grievances while maintaining coalition unity. Tejashwi’s statements about flexibility in selecting candidates from various communities underline an adaptive political strategy aimed at mitigating internal differences among alliance partners while appealing to a broad spectrum of voters.

As the elections approach, Tejashwi’s announcements, alongside the Mahagathbandhan’s welfare-centric manifesto, set the stage for a high-decibel campaign focused on both symbolic inclusivity and substantive governance promises. The opposition alliance seeks to leverage community representation and welfare pledges to counter the NDA’s agenda, which emphasizes job creation, education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship initiatives for marginalized communities.

In summary, Tejashwi Yadav’s statements regarding multiple deputy chief ministers, including a Muslim and a Dalit, are part of a broader strategy by the Mahagathbandhan to form an inclusive government in Bihar. By addressing historical grievances and signaling equitable representation, the alliance aims to consolidate support from diverse communities while projecting an image of responsive governance. With voting set to commence on November 6 in the first phase and November 11 in the second, and counting scheduled for November 14, Bihar’s electorate is poised to witness a keenly contested battle between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan, with caste, community, and development narratives shaping the campaign discourse.