Bihar Mahagatbandhan in Disarray: Allies Clash, JMM Quits, Leaders Allege 'Cash for Tickets'

This special report from India Today details the escalating crisis within Bihar's Mahagatbandhan alliance ahead of the state elections. The coalition is facing significant infighting, with Congress and RJD locked in disputes over at least seven seats, and further complicated by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) breaking away to contest six border seats independently. Adding to the turmoil, senior party members have made serious allegations of corruption, with Congress MLA Afaaq Alam claiming, 'Hain log jo paise ka hoga hi karke vaise-vaise logon ko banaya. Jo mahagatbandhan ko ganda karne ka kaam kiya hai.' Protests have also erupted outside Lalu Prasad Yadav's residence by RJD workers denied tickets, who allege kickbacks influenced candidate selection. As the opposition bloc appears to be fracturing, the NDA is preparing its campaign, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to begin from the village of Jannayak Karpoori Thakur.