'Rahiman dhaaga prem ka': Manoj Jha, Imran Pratapgarhi trade shayaris as Bihar seat-sharing talks hit a snag

As the RJD, Congress, and Left parties haggle over numbers, poetic exchanges between leaders have added a touch of irony to the tense political drama.

The seat-sharing negotiations within Bihar’s Mahagathbandhan are turning into a test of patience and persuasion, with alliance partners refusing to yield ground easily.

As the RJD, Congress, and Left parties haggle over numbers, poetic exchanges between leaders have added a touch of irony to the tense political drama.

RJD MP Manoj Jha set the tone after Tejashwi Yadav met with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, posting a verse on microblogging site X, “Rahiman dhaaga prem ka, mat todo chhitkaay, toote se phir na mile, mile gaanth parijaay.” (Don’t snap the thread of love, Rahim says, once broken, it may be tied again, but the knot will always remain.)

To which, Congress MP and poet Imran Pratapgarhi responded with his own couplet, “Paani aankh mein bhar kar laaya ja sakta hai, ab bhi jalta shehar bachaya ja sakta hai.” (Tears can still be brought to the eyes; even a burning city can still be saved.)

That said, the ruling NDA has already finalised its pact, the BJP and JD(U) will contest 101 seats each, while Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas) has been allotted 29. In the Mahagathbandhan camp, however, the final formula is still elusive despite several rounds of talks.

According to sources cited in a Times of India report, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Congress negotiators are close to reaching a consensus. An announcement is anticipated in the next few days.

The alliance is also likely to release a joint manifesto alongside the list of candidates.

The Congress is expected to contest fewer seats this time given its weak performance in 2020, when it won only 19 out of 70 seats. The RJD had contested 144 seats and secured 75 in the 243-member Assembly.

On Monday, the Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) held a meeting in New Delhi to refine its Bihar strategy, attended by Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal, and Bihar unit chief Rajesh Ram. After the meeting, Ram said discussions were “positive” and that another round of talks with Tejashwi Yadav was likely soon.