The Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP) on Friday unveiled its initial roster of six candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, intensifying the ongoing seat-sharing debates within the Mahagathbandhan. Party chief Mukesh Sahani’s brother, Santosh Sahani, will contest from the Gaura Bauram seat.
Other nominees include Umesh Sahani from Darbhanga, Naveen Nishad from Alamnagar, Bhogendra Sahani from Aurai, Rakesh Rai from Baruraj, and Ganesh Bharati Sada from Kusheshwar Asthan.
Reports indicate that the VIP has been allocated 15 seats in the alliance and the position of Deputy Chief Minister should the Mahagathbandhan form the government. Sahani had initially demanded 40–50 seats, but the opposition partners, RJD and Congress, were reluctant to meet this demand.
Speculation had been rife that Sahani might rejoin the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), given that VIP had previously contested in 2020 under the NDA banner, winning 4 out of 11 seats. However, the last-minute seat allocation within the Mahagathbandhan seems to have ended such rumors.
Speaking in Darbhanga, Sahani clarified that he will not contest the elections personally but will actively campaign for his party candidates and alliance partners.
“I have opted not to contest polls this time. I will campaign for the party’s nominees and also for the Grand Alliance,” Sahani said.
He further asserted that he is not interested in a Rajya Sabha seat, emphasizing his ambition to become the Deputy Chief Minister once the Grand Alliance comes to power.
