NEW DELHI: With the Bihar Assembly elections fast approaching, seat-sharing negotiations within both the ruling NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan have intensified, but while the NDA seems close to sealing its deal, uncertainties continue to plague the INDIA bloc in the state.The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left, partners in the INDIA bloc, have yet to finalise seat allocation, even as the nomination process for the first phase of polling ends on October 17. On Sunday, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, along with son and heir-apparent Tejashwi Yadav, left for Delhi, triggering speculation of high-level talks with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to resolve the deadlock.The RJD recently “authorised” Prasad to decide seat distribution and candidate selection. The party holds the dominant position in the alliance, which was known as the Mahagathbandhan before the formation of the nationwide INDIA bloc. When the father-son duo, accompanied by Rabri Devi, left their residence in Patna, disappointed aspirants gathered outside, hoping for a final word on ticket distribution.At the airport, Tejashwi Yadav maintained that “all is well,” though reports suggest otherwise. Congress’s assertiveness, boosted by its recent Voter Adhikar Yatra, has annoyed the RJD, as the party now seeks to contest 70 seats like it did in 2020, despite winning only 19.A close aide of Lalu Prasad, speaking on condition of anonymity, downplayed the political tension, saying, “Lalu ji and Tejashwi ji have left for Delhi because tomorrow is the date of hearing in the land-for-jobs scam. Of course, while in the national capital, meetings with senior leaders cannot be ruled out.”He added, “Our mind is made up. We will keep for ourselves not less than half of the 243 seats. Compared with 2020, when we contested more than 140 seats, that is still somewhat of a sacrifice to accommodate new allies. It is not just for the Congress, but for all smaller parties to realise that there is a need to keep vaulting ambitions in check. Only then can a credible challenge be posed to the ruling NDA.”Congress leader Pawan Khera, however, dismissed reports of friction within the Mahagathbandhan over seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, asserting that the BJP’s hopes of a rift are being “dashed.”His remarks came in response to the BJP’s claims that internal disagreements were delaying the INDIA bloc’s seat-sharing announcement in Bihar.Speaking to reporters in Ranchi, Khera said, “There is no complication or snag. Discussions will happen first, and only then will the seat announcement be made. So, the Bharatiya Janata Party‘s hope that there is some complication is getting dashed. Everyone has the right to express their views, and all parties do so. There is no complication on our side.”Meanwhile, the NDA has almost completed its seat-sharing exercise. Janata Dal (United) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan said on Sunday there was “a huge turmoil within the Mahagathbandhan over the Chief Minister’s post,” adding confidently that “the alliance knows that the NDA will form a government in Bihar.”He dismissed Tejashwi Yadav’s claim that the JD(U) might merge with the BJP after the elections, saying, “Now he has started making prophecies. He will have plenty of time after the elections. We believe that after the elections, there are very good politicians who need to make alternative arrangements, so they have found a solution.”Ranjan asserted that the JD(U) under Nitish Kumar remains strong and united. “The JD(U) is known for its values. Just as Nitish Kumar ran the coalition government in Bihar effectively for 20 years, the party grew and flourished. Today, the party’s base has become the largest in the state. Our workers are the most dedicated, and the people’s support remains firmly with Nitish Kumar,” he said, calling Tejashwi’s remarks a “reflection of mental bankruptcy.”Within the NDA, the JD(U) is likely to contest 103 of the 243 seats, while the BJP is expected to field candidates in 102. Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has demanded more than the 20-22 seats earlier offered, while allies like Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha are negotiating respectable numbers, reported news agency PTI.“Everything is fine in the NDA… seat-sharing arrangements and list of candidates will be decided by the party’s central leadership in a day or two,” a BJP leader said.On the opposition front, Congress leader Akhilesh Prasad Singh admitted that “the seat allocation is almost done, but at the last moment, some difficulties arise in all parties, these are there in the NDA as well and here too. Everything will be announced in 1-2 days.”