India, Oct. 24 -- In a major political development ahead of the Bihar assembly polls, the opposition INDIA bloc on Thursday officially declared RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate. The decision follows weeks of intense negotiations among allies and is seen as a bid to end internal rifts and present a united front before the elections.

Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who was in Patna to mediate between coalition partners, announced that Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani would serve as one of the deputy chief ministers if the alliance comes to power. Gehlot said the decision was made "keeping in mind the complex social structure of Bihar."

Addressing a joint ...