'Accept RJD formula': Lalu Yadav's curt response to Rahul-Kharge amid Mahagathbandhan's race against time on Bihar seat-sharing

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav with Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. (File: PTI)

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday held a telephone conversation with RJD supremo and former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav amid the continuing stalemate on seat-sharing with just a day left for the nominations deadline for the Bihar Assembly elections to expire.

The nominations for the first phase of the Assembly elections close on October 17 and there is still no unanimity on the seat-sharing formula between the two biggest Mahagathbandhan partners.

With attempts to arrive at a consensus failing, the two top Congress leaders dialed Lalu earlier today to try and reach an agreement. The Congress is learnt to have demanded 70 seats -- the same tally it contested in 2020 polls -- for itself this time.

The RJD, however, has resisted the Congress' demand and cited its tally of just 19 seats in the 2020 polls. The Congress' underperformance is believed to have played a key role in denying the Mahagathbandhan a shot at power despite RJD emerging as the single-largest party in Bihar with 75 seats.

On Thursday, Lalu Yadav is believed to have conveyed to its INDIA bloc partner that it should accept the RJD's formula and settle for a lesser number of seats since other allies also need to be accommodated, CNN-News18 reported citing sources.

The former Bihar CM, who redefined caste politics in the state, also told the Congress leaders that accommodating smaller allies that include Mukesh Sahni's VIP, Pashupati Paras's RLJP and Hemant Soren's JMM, among others.

With no breakthrough in talks yet, several leaders from the RJD and Congress have already gone ahead and filed their nominations.

"The work is going on very well, symbols are being distributed. Those who have to file nominations are also doing so. The process has started… Very soon, the entire situation will be clear to everyone. The Mahagathbandhan government is going to be formed. Why is the NDA raising questions? They should think about themselves," Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said.

Mahagathbandhan partner Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) had earlier announced a list of 18 candidates for the Bihar elections.

As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission, a total of 121 out of 243 seats will go to the polls in the first phase on November 6 while voting for the remaining seats will be held on November 11.

The counting of votes will take place on November 14, a week ahead of the conclusion of the term of the current Assembly.

On the other hand, the ruling NDA has already declared the seat-sharing formula among its partners. As per the agreement, the BJP and JD(U) will contest 101 seats each, the LJP (Ram Vilas) 29 seats, and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) six seats each. The NDA constituents have announced candidates on almost all 243 seats.