All eyes will be on Patna on Thursday for the first official gathering of the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) parties as the Bihar Assembly elections get nearer.

On Thursday, the focus will be on completing the alliance’s strategy, establishing a shared agenda, and maybe supporting Tejashwi Yadav as the alliance’s main ministerial spokesperson.

The meeting’s agenda includes discussing seat sharing, the Common Minimum Programme, and creating an electoral plan. It will take place in the RJD state headquarters in Patna at 1:00 pm.

A final decision about the Grand Alliance’s chief ministerial candidate, the ally coordination system, and the combined action plan to oppose the NDA is also anticipated to be made during the meeting.

Tejashwi Yadav, Rajya Sabha MPs Manoj Jha and Sanjay Yadav, Krishna Allavaru, the in-charge of the Bihar Congress, state President Rajesh Ram, Dipankar Bhattacharya of the CPI-ML, Mukesh Sahani of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), and CPI and CPI(M) officials are expected to attend, according to RJD sources.

Pashupati Kumar Paras’ Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) has not received an invitation to the conference.

Although it just left the NDA, the party has not officially joined the Grand Alliance.

Tejashwi Yadav has already been announced by the RJD as its chief ministerial candidate, but the Congress has not made a commitment.

But according to insiders, there could be agreement today in support of Tejashwi spearheading the state’s effort.

According to sources, the main points on which they would outline their strategy to oppose the NDA would be the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which is thought to be a potential focal point for mobilising minority votes; the demand for 65% reservations; social justice issues to counter the NDA’s agenda; economic and unemployment issues; and the NDA’s record on governance, health, and education.

The Mahagathbandhan’s leaders may proclaim a common agenda and campaign themes, as well as organise coordinated demonstrations and campaigns.

Soon after reaching an agreement on leadership and the agenda for the next coordination meetings, they will also start discussing seat sharing.

This gathering is seen as an important step in securing the unity of the opposition in Bihar.

In the next Assembly elections, the Grand Alliance may pose a serious threat to the NDA if Tejashwi is able to bring the party together.