Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Patna, October 28 (IANS) The Grand Alliance on Tuesday released its joint manifesto titled “Tejashwi’s Resolve” for the Bihar Assembly elections 2025, but its cover page has sparked a debate over the limited representation of Muslim leaders.
Despite the alliance’s repeated emphasis on minority welfare and RJD’s traditional Muslim-Yadav (MY) vote base, only one Muslim leader—Abdul Bari Siddiqui—appears on the cover.
This has spread dissatisfaction among some sections of the Muslim community and many minority leaders.
According to the 2022 caste-based survey conducted under the Grand Alliance government, Muslims constitute about 18 percent of Bihar’s population.
Many community representatives have questioned why their participation in leadership positions does not reflect their demographic strength.
Some Muslim leaders have also said that the Nishad community, constituting barely 2 per cent of the population, has been given the post of Deputy Chief Minister, but the 18 per cent Muslim population has been ignored.
The controversy gained momentum as Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahni, who represents the Nishad community, features prominently on the cover of the manifesto – his picture is placed just below that of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, indicating his growing stature in the alliance.
Sources said that during the announcement of the Chief Ministerial candidate at Patna’s Maurya Hotel on October 23, Mukesh Sahni had initially refused to attend the joint press conference, insisting on being made the Deputy Chief Minister.
His demand was reportedly accepted after discussions with the top leadership of RJD, Congress and Left parties.
The cover of “Tejashwi’s Pledge” features pictures of Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, D. Raja, Dipankar Bhattacharya, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, Mukesh Sahni, Rajesh Ram, Mangani Lal Mandal and others.
In the Bihar Assembly elections 2025, Mukesh Sahni led Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) is contesting on 15 seats, but Mukesh Sahni is not contesting.
RJD is contesting on 143 seats, Congress on 61 seats and Left parties on the remaining seats. There are some seats where there will be a friendly fight between the candidates of the Grand Alliance.
–IANS
ajk/dan