Patna (Bihar) [India], October 23 (ANI): Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday asked the National Democratic Alliance to declare its Chief Ministerial candidate. He added that the Opposition Mahagathbandhan, which had declared him its CM candidate, has a vision and blueprint for building a 'new Bihar.'

'We have vision, reason and blueprint. We have an undying passion. We have a new mindset - one that brings everyone together. We have to build a new Bihar,' Tejashwi Yadav told reporters.

'Amit Shah and the BJP did not make it clear who would be the CM face of the NDA. They should make it clear...People of Bihar want change and want to build a new and developed Bihar...Mukesh Sahani has been announced (as the Deputy CM face), we will include others from different communities too as Deputy CMs. We will tell you when the time comes,' he added.

He also exuded confidence in Mahagathbandhan's win in the upcoming poll.

'We are very confident. Iss bar NDA ki sarkar jaane waali hai aur Mahagathbandhan ki sarka ban'ne waali hai,' he added.

Earlier today, Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot declared Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the assembly elections in Bihar, scheduled to be held in two phases on November 6 and 11.

'Everyone should be worried (about the situation in the country). This is why I can say that after consulting Kharge ji, Rahul ji, and others who are sitting here, that Tejashwi Yadav is the CM candidate for this election. He is a young person. He has a long future and the public will support him,' Gehlot said while addressing a press conference here.

Gehlot, named as Senior Election Observer by the AICC, said that people of Bihar want change as they struggle with multiple issues, including unemployment. He said that the way the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the centre was operating was a 'threat to democracy'.

'It is obvious to get worried about the condition of the country and the state. The situation is serious. The way the NDA government operates is a threat to democracy. There is polarisation. Nobody knows in which direction the country is heading. If you criticise, you are sent to jail - it doesn't matter if you are a journalist or activist. It is our responsibility to keep in mind what the country wants. The country is watching Bihar. The issue of unemployment remains. People want change,' he added.

Many prominent leaders of Mahagathbandhan and the INDIA bloc were present on the occasion, including CPI (ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Ram, Bihar Congress incharge Krishna Allavaru, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Kumar Jha, and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) convenor Mukesh Sahani, among others.

Mukesh Sahani, who heads the Vikasheel Insaan Pary, has been named as the Deputy CM nominee from the Mahagathbandhan.

The 2025 Bihar elections will have the main contest between the National Democratic Alliance and the Mahagathbandhan.

NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha.

Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal, includes Congress party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP).

Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj has also staked claims on all 243 seats of the state.

The assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)